Lian Grace Sinculan
Over a year ago, Lian Grace Sinculan would go to her school’s guidance counselor with swollen eyes from crying all night long.
Finding a reason to live was her greatest struggle alongside her school work as a college student.
Sinculan, the eldest of two siblings, entered college with the vision of doing well in her studies to eventually help her family.
Her parents, Caesar and Bumbie, both work as factory workers.
She wanted to become a TV news reporter.
During her first few semesters, Sinculan was very particular about her grades – meticulously doing her projects and diligently studying every lesson to ace every exam.
“My parents did not put pressure on me. I did well because I am happy to see my parents every time I achieve something. Ganahan lang ko malipay akong parents (I just want my parents to be happy.),” said Sinculan.
But the pressure that she put upon herself turned into a load that almost crushed her.
“Every small thing kay ma-over think nako. Bali nagsagol-sagol na tanan apil sa financial nga problem sa family (I overthought every small thing. The stress built up along with my family’s financial struggle.), “ Sinculan said.
It was during her third year in college when Sinculan was clinically diagnosed with depression.
The old Lian, who used to be full of enthusiasm in her studies, lost interest in her academic performance and started to skip classes.
She also withdrew her participation in co-curricular organizations including the school’s choir group.
“I did not have friends because my classmates did not understand what I was going through,” said Sinculan.
She finally decided to seek professional help after several failed attempts at ending her own life.
“The last attempt that I made was January 2017 when I overdosed myself with meds just because of overthinking my project which was submitted a few hours late,” she said.
To ease her anxiety, Sinculan underwent psychotherapy sessions and started medication.
Lian Grace Sinculan poses with faculty members of the Department of Journalism and Communications at the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), Kamagayan barangay officials and members of Pundok Kadasig during the launching of Radyo Kamagayan, a new extension of the department’s Pundok Kadasig project. Lian, a depression survivor, is now an advocate for mental health. She calls on people to show compassion to others who are going through the same struggle she had before. Contributed Photo
During her sessions, she was encouraged to get involved with things that would keep her active.
“At first, my parents did not acknowledge my condition but after I was clinically diagnosed, they started to accept and support me.” Sinculan said.
Every psychotherapy session cost her family P1,000.
But her parents wholeheartedly supported her psychological treatments despite their tight budget.
“That was when I realized that I had to help myself.” Sinculan said.
Sinculan has since become an advocate for mental health while engaging in social development projects.
“Ang Pundok Kadasig gyod ang best nga therapy nako. Adto ka mamotivate nga mobangon kay naay nanginahanglan sa imong tabang (Pundok Kadasig was really my best therapy. It was there that I got motivated to pick myself up knowing that there are others who need my help), said Sinculan.
“Dako lang pod kog pasalamat sa Department (of Journalism and Communication) kay gihatagan ko nila’g chance nga mo-lead ani nga project (I am very thankful to the Department because they gave me the chance to lead this project.), she added.
Pundok Kadasig is the community outreach project of her university’s Department of Journalism and Communication that reaches out to a group of shoe repairmen, and t-shirt, art and sign printers in Barangay Kamagayan, Cebu City.
The project also paved the way for the creation of another outreach program which organized 50 young boys into becoming what is now called as the Kamagayan Football Club.
The boys are sons of indigent residents of the drug-prone village.
“Karon kay naa na ko’y reason nga mobangon. Kinahanglan man gud og commitment ang pagmonitor sa mga bata ug unsa ilang kinahanglan, (Now, I have the reason to get up because it takes commitment to look after the children and their needs), Sinculan said.
According to Sinculan, she finds her happiness and meaning out of helping and being an agent of development in the community.
“Malipay na lang ko nga makakita sa mga bata, murag daghan kaayo ko’g anak (I find happiness in watching the kids. It’s as if I have a lot of children), she said.
Though it was a long and tough journey, Sinculan found her way out of the rubble of despair and hopelessness.
Last March 24, Saturday, the 20-year-old college student marched down the aisle of the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) wearing her green toga and the pride of finishing her degree, Magna Cum Laude.
“I am just so thankful of my teachers who gave me chances and special exams. They helped me get back on my feet,” Sinculan said.
As she slid the tassel of her graduation cap to the right signifying her success, Sinculan looked forward to touching more lives through development journalism.
“We just hope that people will show more compassion to people with mental health problems. They need it more than the harsh judgments,” she said.