Work-Related Mental Health Issues of Educators

The sudden shift in the way education is delivered in the country is truly jolting. But for educators it can also be the best time to learn new methods in teaching and learning. For the time being, though, the shift to the “new normal” in the Philippine education system has brought certain transition issues for teachers, both physical but also mentally.

Psychosocial concerns include stress, anxiety, and depression. Prolonged and chronic stress can lead to anxiety that manifests through body aches and pains. Depression, which can already be pre-existing, can also be aggravated to affect one’s daily functions.

In an effort to help educators cope with the challenges of the “new normal,” Globe Telecom organized “#StartANewDay – Let’s Talk About Mental Health: A Forum for Educators.” The initiative was in partnership with the Department of Education Disaster Risk Reduction Service (DepEd-DRRMS). The session was part of the DepEd-DRRMS Wellness Check Series to explore ways on how educators can detect and overcome work-related mental health problems.

One of the speakers in the forum was Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco, national executive director of the Philippine Mental Health Association, who emphasized the need for teachers to self-check their mental health based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. “Self-care is just a matter of mindset and is not selfish. You cannot give what you don’t have. So it is important for educators to prioritize self-care first before they can take care of and do better things for others,” Dr. Rayco said. She shared strategies for coping with the situation such as encouraging social connectedness by reminding co-teachers, students, even family and friends of one’s presence with the help of technology. Yet, at the same time, she suggested digital detoxification so teachers won’t be overloaded with information from the internet where they’d feel overwhelmed or depressed. Teachers were also encouraged to seek help when they feel that something is not right and is affecting their relationship with others.

Clinical psychologist Ronald John Recio, assistant professor at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and an advanced level clinical behavioral therapist, enjoined educators to ‘fight on’. “Laban lang,” he said. “We have to admit that we were not prepared so we just have to do what we have to do We just have to learn to manage our expectations and what we think of our performance versus the reality of the situation and learn to look at the bigger picture.”

Dr. Ruby Festano Avelino, English teacher at Santolan High School, also a guidance advocate and journalism adviser at the school, shared how she takes care of her mental health. “Develop to put yourself on the positive side of life. I always seek feedback from my mentors and I also get inspiration from my family in Capiz . With them around me, I feel that I can do anything in spite of what’s happening... Support system is really important.”

Rayco and Recio also touched on “toxic positivity.” Recio explained that “toxic positivity happens when you are lying to yourself that you are okay even if you know that things are not; failure to acknowledge that you yourself are undergoing something, that you’re not okay with what’s happening around you, can then manifest with how you act, how you interact with other people, and affects your train of thought.”

Rayco added that it’s not realistic to expect to be having positive emotions all the time. She urged, “We need to actually do something and not just think that we can do it, and be able to do something concrete or positive like learning those new platforms needed in the new normal.” That, she said, is the effective way of overcoming negative emotions.

Recio said, “Just be honest and avoid making statements like ‘we can do it’ even if you know you can’t. Just be truthful to admit that things are difficult, and believe in your own skills and competencies to come up with an action plan and resolve the problem or situation.”

The recent forum is one of the ways that Globe supports the promotion of mental health in the country. The company also encourages its customers to support front-liners and patients suffering from Covid-19 and other illnesses via messages of hope at Hope Bank (https://www. facebook.com/groups/267986420517932/), an online support community for those who need uplift and encouragement. Messages photos, artworks, quotes, song lyrics, poems, videos or anything that expresses hope and positivity may be posted using the hashtag #StartANewDay both on personal profiles and in the group.

Globe also partners with organizations like UP Diliman Psychosocial Services and New Good Feelings Mindstrong’s HOPELINE for free counseling or psychotherapy services for front-liners, Covid-19 patients and their relatives. More about Globe Telecom can be found at www.globe.com.ph.