Better Days at SM Brings Hope Closer to Youth

 

Inside SM Cares' Better Days Caravan: A Youth Mental Health Initiative on the Move

How a multi-mall caravan gave young Filipinos space to talk, connect, and build resilience together

MANILA, Philippines — Young people need places where they know their voice actually counts. That kind of space is worth more than usual right now.

In line with its work to support the next generation of Filipinos, SM Cares organized Better Days: A Youth Mental Health Caravan, run together with Mental Health Youth Hub PH, I AM MAD (Making A Difference), the National Youth Commission, and Global Peace Foundation Philippines.

The Caravan's Stops

The multi-mall program gave young people a space to speak openly about what they're dealing with, learn practical ways to support their own mental well-being, and see that they don't have to face difficult days on their own.

It opened at the SM North EDSA Skydome on July 3, followed by stops at SM Center Pulilan Atrium and SM City Molino Cinema 1 — all carrying the theme “A Space for Sharing of Hope, Creating Connections, and Building Better Communities.”

What the Organizers Are Saying

“At SM Cares, we believe a stronger nation begins with young people who know that their lives matter, that their voices have value, and that there are people and communities ready to stand beside them,” said Joaquin San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing of SM Supermalls. “And when young people feel heard, valued, and supported, they become better equipped to face challenges, care for others, and take part in building the communities they want to live in.”

Inside Each Leg of the Caravan

Panel discussions, group activities, and talks from youth advocates and resource speakers gave participants room to think through what a better day could look like — and what part they could play in making one happen, for themselves and the people around them. The sessions encouraged young people to open up about their struggles, build resilience, and treat self-care as routine rather than an afterthought.

Broadcaster and TV personality Kuya Kim Atienza joined the SM North EDSA leg as a speaker, adding his own take on well-being and resilience to the discussion.

Rooted in a Formal Partnership

The caravan built on a June 24 memorandum of understanding signed by SM Cares, the National Youth Commission — represented by Commissioner Undersecretary Joseph Francisco “Jeff” Ortega — and Mental Health Youth Hub PH, which formalized the group's shared commitment to youth mental health and set the stage for the initiative. Better Days was powered by the Global Youth Summit.