Zapopan, Jalisco; October 8, 2025.—With the goal of promoting the emotional well-being of its community, the Universidad Panamericana , Guadalajara campus, hosted the conference "Self-Awareness and Mental Health", presented by Daniel Carlos Ruiz, M.A., a psychologist affiliated with Family Consultoría and an alumnus of the institution.
The event was part of the institutional campaign "Embrace Your Mind, UP", an initiative that promotes emotional well-being in the university community and stems from the University Network for Emotional Health, which was launched last August.
Self-Awareness: The Key to a Fulfilling Life
During his talk, Mr. Ruiz invited attendees to reflect on essential questions such as “Who am I?” and “How do I behave?”, emphasizing that self-knowledge serves as a compass that guides personal and professional decisions toward a purposeful life.
She emphasized that self-care should be taken just as seriously as caring for someone else, reminding attendees of the importance of recognizing and addressing one’s needs at every stage of life.
Another key theme was the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which invites us to reflect on what we love, what we’re good at, what the world needs, and what can become our source of livelihood.
The specialist explained that understanding habits and emotions before trying to change them is key to personal growth, since there is an emotional root behind every action.
He, who is also an alumnus of the Universidad Panamericana, pointed out that the mind spends much of its time in an “automatic mode,” which often leads us to react without full awareness. Being able to identify these processes helps prevent emotional crises and strengthen self-management.
In turn, the presentation explained how certain cognitive errors—such as viewing everything in extremes, downplaying the positive, or letting ourselves be guided solely by our emotions—can distort the way we understand our experiences.
Reflections on Emotional Health and Well-Being
Daniel Carlos Ruiz, M.A., emphasized that knowing oneself is just as important as academic preparation.“Everyone here are working very hard on their professional development, but that time should also be invested in getting to know themselves, so they can stay on the right track and lead a fulfilling life,” he said.
For her part, psychologist Odette Pérez, from the Emotional Health department at Panamericana, invited the community to reflect on fulfilling relationships.
“We often normalize the fact that we’re not doing well. Taking a step back to reflect on how we’re managing our daily activities and relationships can help us reach out for support and discover that there are other ways to live better,” she explained.
Finally, José Luis Alvarado, M.A., also a psychologist in the Emotional Health department, noted that self-awareness is the foundation of personal development. “Through these types of activities, we aim to help the university community become aware of the different spheres of life that contribute to a person’s well-rounded development. In the Emotional Health department, we’re here to welcome and support you,” he said.
Commitment to College Students' Emotional Well-Being
Through this conference and the opportunities for dialogue it fosters, the Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its conviction that emotional health is a fundamental pillar of its students’ holistic education.
Through initiatives such as the campaign "Embrace Your Mind UP" and active participation in the University Network for Emotional Health, the institution seeks to provide its community with tools to recognize, address, and strengthen their well-being.
