Student leadership has been recognized as an essential part of higher education for an extended period, as it fosters personal growth, civic engagement, and social responsibility. Student leaders develop critical competencies, such as conflict resolution, communication, and decision-making, through their participation in campus initiatives, governance councils, and student organizations (Dugan & Komives, 2010). It embodies character and responsibilities that are fundamentally connected to their core values and identity. These competencies provide both benefits and challenges to student leaders. The researchers explored the self-care practices of student leaders and their influence on mental wellness. Student leaders often juggle academic, organizational, and personal responsibilities, making self-care critical to their mental health and leadership effectiveness. The researchers aim to investigate the experiences, assess the self-care practices, and understand the difficulties faced in maintaining mental well-being as a student and a leader. A descriptive quantitative research approach was used in gathering straightforward reports from (n=18) student leaders. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study reveal that student leaders engage in self-care practices through socialization, spiritual, and meaningful activities as a means of relaxation and fulfillment. The data showed that the student leaders were challenged by the pressure and sacrifices needed to sustain studies and leadership roles, which led to anxiety, self-doubt, frustration, and emotional disturbances. However, the student leaders did not let these challenges affect them; instead, they transformed these difficulties into motivation to improve their ability to handle their responsibilities. Henceforth, the researchers recommend that HEIs in the Philippines must actively assist student leaders by incorporating mental wellness education into leadership programs, conducting regular check-ups, ensuring that they have access to counseling services, and cultivating a culture that prioritizes the self-care of student leaders.

Keywords: self-care; leadership; student leaders; well-being; higher education, critical competencies