Racing heartbeat. Restlessness. Solitude.
These feelings are not odd to 18-year-old Arnold Licatan Jr. from Kidapawan City, Southern Philippines. As a typical teenager, he experiences problems and issues that affect his mental state. It’s an internal battle that he needs to face as a person suffering from anxiety.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 20% of adolescents globally experience mental health problems. Around 15% of adolescents in low-and middle-income countries have considered suicide. With that rate, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 19-year-olds worldwide.
Arnold admitted that negative thoughts ran through his mind sometimes but he strives for ways to overcome the emotional distress. He sought refuge to visual arts and found strength in his creative hands to combat anxiety.
Since childhood, Arnold loves painting and drawing. It became an outlet to express his emotions and paved opportunities to share his talent to people. He constantly joins in poster-making contests and engages in collaborative art projects to showcase his craft.
Later on, he developed a support system among his teachers and peers with his active involvement in extracurricular activities and student organizations. School has become a safe space where he felt most accepted and loved.
However, due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic that plagued the country this year, Arnold was not able to go to school. Community lockdowns for health measures were imposed in his hometown and classes have been suspended.
Arnold felt trap with his problems again. He depended on drawing once more until he found the opportunity to join in the poster-making contest of Community and Family Services International (CFSI) under its Child Protection Emergency Response Project (CPERP).
CFSI’s poster-making contest forms part of the psychosocial support services to youth amidst this challenging time of pandemic. It aims to enable the youth use their talents in promoting child protection.
With such purpose, Arnold put a lot of effort in his artwork Ngiti (smile) that depicted what a child’s life should be, a colorful environment with a lot of friends and support from other people. He highlighted the importance of support to a child to manage his/her mental health.
Ngiti was the winning piece out of more than 30 aspiring entries. As the winner, Arnold received PhP3,000 ($60) as seed fund for his educational needs.
Opportunities opened up for Arnold after winning in the contest. He has now an ongoing project with Museyo Kutawato, a public museum in Mindanao Island showcasing the cultural heritage of the people in Cotabato province.
Aside from doing things he’s passionate about, Arnold strives best with his education. He has finished senior high school this year and got in to University of the Philippines, the country’s premiere national university, with a degree in BS Chemistry. He also received an undergraduate scholarship from the Philippine government under the Department of Science and Technology.
“It is self-discipline that will help us, the youth, to achieve our dreams,” Arnold shared.
Arnold struggles with his battles everyday but he keeps reminding himself that he’s stronger than his emotions. He’ll continue moving forward, pursuing his aspirations, with a smile. #