To support the mental well-being of the UPOU community, Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU launched KaYa (Kalinga at Yakap) App last 29 April  2024.

KaYa App is a mental health application that features free mental health-related webinars, stress management videos, creative space, and personal e-journals. In celebration of Stress Awareness Month, the app was further introduced to the employees, staff, and students of UPOU with the help of User’s Guide and other informative publication materials.

The application was further developed as a web and mobile app through its partnership with the UPOU Information and Communication Technology Development Office (ICTDO). Led by Dr. Reinald Pugoy, Director of ICTDO, and Asst. Prof. Queenie Ridulme, Director of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU, the development team equipped the app with public and logged-in features. Also included in the team were Mr. Adrianne Jennel Alarcon and Mr. Renz Jemil Magsino, Junior ICT Associates, as well as Ms. Jestine Crhistia Gatdula and Ms. Jezreel Anne Cometa, the Senior Office Assistant and Project Staff of Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU, respectively.

Through this initiative, Ugnayan ng Pahinungód UPOU strives to further promote mental health awareness and wellness not just in the university but hopefully to the general public,  embracing its slogan #WeCanGoALongWayWithALittleKaYaEveryday.

Written by Jezreel Anne Cometa ♦ Edited by Queenie Roxas-Ridulme and Anna Cañas-Llamas