CEBU CITY, Philippines – A teacher at a university here is in hot water over his controversial statements about mental health, which went viral on social media.
Candice Gotianuy, president of the University of Cebu (UC), announced launching an investigation to shed light on the matter.
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Gotianuy, in a statement published on social media, also said the teacher in question has been placed under preventive suspension as the probe begins.
“University of Cebu does not condone any act of self-harm or the encouragement of such. I am disgusted by the actions of this person- I cannot even call him a teacher,” said Gotianuy.
In addition, the teacher will be temporarily banned from entering the university’s campus in Brgy. Banilad, Cebu City as well as contacting his students.
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An audio recording of a male teacher, published as a short-form video, went viral on social media over his ‘triggering and disrespectful’ comments about self-harm during a lecture. In an earlier statement, the College of Nursing of UC Banilad also confirmed that the teacher was a member of their faculty body.
Netizens, particularly the youth, called out the teacher and urged the university’s administration to take action against him. UC’s College of Nursing has also initiated an investigation into the matter.
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On top of an investigation, Gotianuy has instructed all of the guidance counselors to report to their Banilad campus on Monday, Mar. 18 to debrief students and teachers affected.
“It is completely understandable that this is triggering. Especially as there has been a rise in mental health awareness post-pandemic,” she said.
“To reiterate, I condemn and am disgusted by the actions of this person. His actions are not those of a UCnian. It is my hope that these actions will help the UC community heal and become a safe place once again,” she added.