DepEd’s new mental health helpline, leaves no one behind

Due to the psychological problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) came up with an effective resolution, in order to reach out and maintain the welfare of the teachers and students on the basic and secondary level. A mental health helpline was launched in order to cater to the needs of the information and help with regards to one’s mental well-being. The helpline is accessible to the public, most especially the learners and teachers. While the responders on the other side of the line provide enough information and direction about mental health, including facilities and organizations all over the country. They also provide assessments and referrals to schedule sessions and treatments from mental health practitioners such as psychologists and psychiatrists. Moreover DepEd also assigns regular visitations of their personnels to the homes of the students, to better understand the different and possible situations of each learner. As per Ronilda Co, the director of DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRMMS). The modular method of the current distanced set up is the biggest challenge for most students, since they have to balance their academic and household obligations, as well as other problems within the house and the people around them. On the other hand, another psychological support provided by the DepEd is the TALA (Tuklasin, Alamin, Likhain at Alalahanin) television series for visual learners. It consists of different segments including storytelling, music, and other activities enhancing a child’s creativity. The series airs every Saturday at 7am on DepEd TV, and it is also interactive on both the children and parents by providing pointers and information to better understand their kids. While secondary learners are also catered through focused group discussions in the OKKK! Tambayan (Online Kahusayan at Katatagan ng Kabataan) , according to Co, provide a space for secondary level students to have interactions and discussion about their mental health situations. Not only students but also the school teachers and personnels are also taken into consideration by the department amidst the pandemic. The DepEd gives seminars and other activities to address the faculties’ mental well-being, as well as sessions of “Kumustahan” every Wednesday to check up on the welfare of all teachers around the country. “Our ultimate goal is to hopefully, eventually, [the students] will not only be able to cope or manage but also thrive in this difficult situation. If we are able to do that, we can be proud and say that we have attained resiliency.” Co told the Inquirer