LA’s Mental Health Champions Honored at ARISE Assembly

LOS ANGELES, California — The Philippine Nurses Association of Southern California Inc. (PNASC) recently celebrated the accomplishments and community impact of ARISE (Awaken, Rise, Inspire, Serve, Empower) with Tala ng Kalinga: Advancing Resilience and Equity through Mental Health First Aid Program at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in Downtown, Los Angeles.

In his presentation during the recognition assembly, PNASC Arise Training Manager Danilo C. Bernal reported that the five-month ARISE with Tala Kalinga Project, funded through the Los Angeles County Arise Community Grant Program, has already reached 97% completion or was able to conduct trainings for 484 participants out of its goal of 500 participants.

Before the February-June 2026 program ends, PNASC expects to reach out to 82 more participants from 5 more training activities scheduled for the period June 21-28, 2026. This will bring a total of 566 projected number of participants by the end of the program this month.

The most number of participants recorded during the program's period was in April with 149 participants for 8 trainings; followed by May with 144 for 8 trainings; June with 87 for 4 trainings; arch with 79 with 5 trainings; and February with 25 with 2 trainings.

Demographically, the ARISE Program conducted a total of 27 trainings, of which 20 trainings were conducted with 347 participants for Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA); 3 trainings involved 61 participants for Youth MHFA; and 4 trainings attended by 76 participants for Older Adult MHFA. The participants were from healthcare, education, religious and community sectors.

The high impact trainings which significantly contributed to expanding the network of MHFA-certified community members and professionals are conducted with Trucare Community (30 participants); High Desert Medical Center (30); Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) (28); Angeles University (27); Seventh Day Adventist Church (26); Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Pasadena (26) and Lion's Club (25).

Through education and outreach, these culturally responsive community events strengthen the Prevention and Early Intervention efforts of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health by increasing mental health literacy, reducing stigma, promoting early identification of concerns, and encouraging timely linkage to care before crises escalate.

The evidence-based training courses and in-person lectures under the ARISE Program are expected to equip participants to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, provide initial support using the ALGEE action plan and connect individuals to appropriate professional and community resources.

ALGEE stands for Approach/Assess for crisis, Listen non-judgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help, and Encourage self-help and other support strategies.

Photos by Doeleth Gatdula/Nemen Cabatuando