2011 Adventure

At the end of 2010, Lucia was recruited to take care of the disadvantageous students at the residential Hall who were at risks in their social emotional wellbeing and learning development.


Her post has been created in 2011 so it is a new one.  There had never been before that the special needs of the gay and lesbian students, aborigines and others who were affected by mental health issues would be supported at their residential hall. 


With as much excitement as uncertainty, Lucia is taking up a challenging post in her hall on the top of the demanding work load of double majors, economics and history. The dean of hall, who set up this post and interviewed her for this part time job had no idea of what exactly the job description should be precisely about.


He told Lucia to write it on her own, given that there would be a team of 6 senior residents who acted as academic guidance counselors would support her role. Nonetheless, the Dean has been promoted leaving Lucia to a team of six and writing up the job description by herself. Wow!!! It's fantastic! I'm sure that she's going to explore a lot of resourceful people and networks for community growth and mental health promotion.


I am so proud of Lucia. She is going to align people and discover resources in the university community for a support network to address the needs of these at-risks students who may have great talents, diverse competences, invaluable experiences and, above all, lot more to offer, if a supportive and caring environment is there, everywhere, every time, every encounter to grow and glow as a community.

Love Letters to LuLu

Lulu, my precious child, be very grateful that you were chosen to offer and care for those who may have challenges in adjusting to the university community.

I know this job is going to be challenging and, after all, rewarding to you and your team. At the end, you will find that love is everywhere. Trust that the more you give, the more you receive.

My dear, you are one of the unusual angels God sent from Heaven. Humongous angel, rarely seen among the Asians. Our Father Lord will bless, guide and protect you in whatever you do and wherever you go.  I understand that you are concerned with your studies and limited free time. The hint is, letting go by accepting the limitations you bear and the outcomes, for better or for worse, are His work. As Servants of His Love, we simply listen, obey and follow His Words, His Will, His Way.

On Earth as it is in Heaven

You don't feel overwhelmed. Please understand that the great mission is achieved through, for and with lots of great people.  The most important thing is to expose yourself to great ideas, the positive influence of compassionate people and existing infrastructures. All of these resources will turn into facilitative factors for achieving some breakthroughs of those who are suffering.

As you are not trained as a helping professional, community psychiatrist or project manager, you will not be the person who can fix the problems of students with diverse special needs. Nonetheless, you will be the best companion for them, one who cares, shares and volunteers to help the people find the right persons for help early, at least in your residential hall.

As a result, it becomes an adventure that you will meet lots of people who may be in their legitimate, professional, expert, political or managerial positions to help out. These people may be in the Dean's office, head of medicine department, medical consultation rooms, annual conferences of school-based mental health, press rooms, coffee shops, student union restaurants, library etc etc. Just go, talk and share to encourage more people to get interested and involved in helping the students who deserve more early support to reverse their disadvantageous situations. More and more miracles will take place.

Just meet people and share. Let the coffee or teatable be your altar for collective offering.  Sooner or later, you will find so many people who get so much to offer. You are not alone. I love you dearly.     

(Great materials for conceptual framework- the Integrative Model of Mental Health Prevention.)