By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

Luke Trasporto representing the School of Graduate Studies in Mr. and Ms CPU 2018 where he shared his advocacy on mental health during the interview portion.

“It all started with a poll I posted on Instagram,” said Luke.

“On May 2018, certain circumstances lead me to post a poll on Instagram asking whether I should or shouldn’t advocate for mental health. Surprisingly, 100% of those who answered the poll voted yes.”

Since then, School of Graduate Studies (SOG) student Luke Trasporto (Kinder 2002, Elementary 2008, High School 2012, BS Social Work 2017) has been using his platform to advocate for mental health.

There are two reasons which ultimately led him to advocate for mental health.

“First is I would never like anyone to experience what I’ve gone through. The other was the death of two very dear people – classmate and football teammate – due to suicide.”

Aside from his Facebook page, Coach Luke, is also involved with Mental Health PH. As an alumnus of Reform Party, he has been mentoring its members who have mental health advocacies.

Trasporto also works closely with Iloilo City Councilor Hon. Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, who is responsible for the mental health programs being implemented in the city.

Now that the number of people in the country who are going through mental health issues have spiked during the pandemic, he emphasized that the government to allocate sufficient for mental health. “Although it’s been 3 years since the Mental Health Act was passed into law, there aren’t enough measures taken to ensure that its programs are being implemented,” Trasporto said.

Given the present situation, he has expressed the need for more mental health advocates. “You don’t need to be a social worker, psychiatrist and psychologist to be a mental health advocate as long as you are passionate about it and you are willing to be trained and educated.” He also said that just by listening and showing your support you are already helping someone who is going through mental health issues.

As for his message to those going through mental health issues:

“Ask for help. Acknowledge that you are going through something. Do not entertain your thoughts of denial. The moment you accept you’re going through something is the first step of realizing you need help. You want to be better you need to be better.

Talk to your friends, teachers, family, mental health advocates, psychologists, psychiatrists, youth leaders, life coaches, youth groups. Go back to what you’re passionate about: draw, paint, exercise, do the things you love to do. Always remember that there are people who love you and will always be there for you.”

Luke Primero Trasporto is a registered social worker. He is also a football coach and is currently finishing his Master of Science in Social Work degree in Central Philippine University.