Keeping One’s Sanity
Jessie L. Manguera
Losing loved ones nowadays has been more painful than it is already before. The pandemic has stirred paranoia to most people for the fear of the repercussions one has to endure once he/she acquired the virus. Aside from the physical pain a COVID19 patient must endure, he/she all the more has to overcome the mental and emotional stress that go with it. Moreover, families of those COVID positive are also in all sorts of psychological distress knowing all the heartbreaking risks of the disease.
In a report posted on the World Health Organization website as of this writing, almost 800 000 people die yearly due to suicide which is a staggering one person every 40 seconds. Whether the data is aggravated by the pandemic or not, it cannot be denied that the figures are disturbing.
Mental health issues should be taken seriously and must be addressed properly. With the current situation, maintaining mental health has become more challenging that is why it is important to watch out our own mental being.
In response to this pressing issue, the Department of Education conducted series of webinars for its teachers and personnel. Participants were reminded of the importance of taking care of themselves and tips on how to cope with the different emotions they are feeling because of the pandemic.
There are provisions of lectures and activities about creating safe spaces, guides on time-management and finding balance, lessons on mindfulness which includes taking care of our minds, cultivating positive thoughts, and being non-judgmental. They are reminded too that feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed is normal and valid and that sometimes, “It’s okay not to be okay.”
On the other hand, students are also provided with Psychological First Aid Modules to check on their psychological well-being. The Guidance and Counselling Office of the Division also launched projects to support of the learners’ total well-being amidst the new normal set-up. Guidance counsellors and guidance teachers are tasked to check on the students’ status.
At the most challenging times, having a strong support system no matter how small is highly valuable to boost one’s mental and psychosocial health. Having constant open communication with people who matters can be a source of motivation and is helpful in maintaining positive outlook in life.
References:
https://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/ https://www.deped.gov.ph/2020/07/17/deped-recognizes-mental-health-and-wellbeingof-personnel-conducts-mhpss-provisions/
The author is Teacher
--oOo-
I at Pampanga High School, City Division of San
Fernando