John Guilaran, PhD

All these years, I think I’ve been living under this principle: “If things don’t work out, try again. If they really don’t work out, pivot.”

Happy new year! Here’s my latest Philippine Daily Inquirer article about making New Year’s resolutions. I provided some (psychological) insights on working on our New Year’s resolutions.
opinion.inquirer.net/188617/being...

What’s the one thing that you’ve done/achieved in 2025 that you are truly proud of?

Chronic Stress: Sage Journals

It’s official: I am now part of the editorial review board of Chronic Stress (Sage Publications). journals.sagepub.com/home/css

"Our analyses highlight that the United States and other English-speaking countries are not the most individualist cultures in the world...Instead, Northwest European countries rank highest on measures of individualism."

New work by @pakaliyski.bsky.social et al.

dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp...

This also includes having the freedom to express, the freedom to love, and the freedom to live their lives without discrimination or coercion. We can never separate mental health from human rights, and the violation or denial of these rights is a denial of mental health.

Today, 10 December, is the International Human Rights Day. The protection and promotion of basic human rights protects and promotes mental health. Furthermore, mental health is in itself a basic human right. This includes access to basic needs and services.

Strengthening PH disaster mental health system Disasters often expose the cracks in the system, and those in our mental health system have been obvious. The availability of mental health services cannot keep up with the increasing demand for these

My opinion piece on strengthening the disaster mental health system in the Philippines. I argued for a public mental health approach in addressing the mental health concerns in the aftermath of mass emergencies. opinion.inquirer.net/187664/stren...

I am on sabbatical leave this year, but I find myself doing lots of work—finishing current projects, starting new ones, doing disaster mental health work, among others. Not complaining, though. I’d be extremely bored if I did nothing this year.

Link them to agencies and organisations that may provide them further support.

Let us take care of each other in these difficult times.

𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤
Provide the survivors with relevant information, such as the whereabouts of their loved ones, the help/aid that is currently available, or contact information of relevant agencies. Connect them with their support system, and if you can, provide social assistance.

𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧. Ask them how they are and calm them down. Do not force them to talk about the event (as this might agitate them). Listen without judgement. Try to understand their feelings. Ask them about their needs or concerns and address these immediate needs.

Here are some tips for providing support after a disaster:

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤. Check for dangers, safety and security risks. Know about the event and about the survivor in need of assistance. Check their basic needs and emotional responses.

Significant parts of the Visayas, Philippines were ravaged by Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name Tino) yesterday. The extent of the damage is just beginning to unfold. In its aftermath, providing psychosocial support may lessen anxiety and other forms of psychological distress.

Which Is Better, One Long Walk or Many Short Ones? A new analysis is one of the first to study whether spacing steps out or consolidating them was linked to better health outcomes.

A new study suggests that going on longer walks may have more health benefits than taking the same number of steps a day over multiple short walks.

Mental health during emergencies is not just the work of psychologists and psychiatrists. We can all take part in creating a psychologically-safe social media space.

3. Cope. Your report should provide information on coping. This may include evidence-based tips on what to do after an earthquake or emergency contact numbers. Provide accurate information on how people may provide support to those who are affected by the earthquake.

2. Clear. Confusion and uncertainty may lead to psychological distress. Let us minimise the distress by ensuring that our content is clearly understood and is comprehensive. Explain the science in clear and simple terms. Avoid content that may be or confusing or prone to misinterpretation.

1. Calm. Keep your content calm. Do not sensationalise. Be mindful of videos, photos, and other graphic content that may cause people to panic. People can cope better when they are calm and collected.

I summarised some of the guidelines that our media (and social media users like us) may use to ensure that our reports and social media posts contribute to (psychological) safety in the aftermath of a hazardous event, like an earthquake.

Does AI improve or undercut academic scholarship?

A new study finds that academics who use AI increased both the quantity & quality of their academic scholarship and it appears to reduces inequality (helping junior and non-english speaking scholars the most).
arxiv.org/pdf/2510.02408

This arvo’s outdoor biking was graced by a rainbow. Lovely.

Wiley retracts study stolen by reviewer, following Retraction Watch coverage A Wiley journal has retracted a paper more than a year after a researcher reported the work was hers and had been stolen by a reviewer for another journal. As we reported in July, Shafaq Aftab, now…

Well done Shafaq Aftab. When a reviewer stole her work and published it under his own name, she fought for a YEAR to get the journal to retract the paper. Just wondering why it took Wiley a YEAR to do this. 🧪 #academicsky

retractionwatch.com/2025/10/03/w...

There is no mental health without social justice.

#WorldMentalHealthDay

The lack of accountability has left a lasting negative impact on our worldview, and has caused so much psychological distress.

We also call on our fellow Filipinos to hold our government accountable. A just and fair society is a prerequisite to mental health.

The widespread corruption has taken away funds for social services, education, health, and other basic needs that could have contributed to the mental health and wellbeing of Filipinos.

As we celebrate the World Mental Health Day, the Psychology Cluster of the Division of Social Sciences, UP Visayas reiterates the call for justice and accountability in the Philippine Government.

Statement of the Psychology Cluster of the Division of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas for the #WorldMentalHealthDay.

I met a lot of amazing people in social media. I got my editorial fellowship through social media. I found research collaborations through social media. Career-wise, social media did me great.

I'm excited to share the news that our climate change project won the @spspnews.bsky.social Robert Cialdini Prize for a "paper that uses field methods and demonstrates the relevance of social psychology to outside groups and communities"!

You can read it here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...