MANILA, Philippines – When their children exhibit aggressive or antisocial behavior, parents may think they are just being rude.

But this characteristic may be an indicator that their children are struggling with issues affecting their mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Department of Education official (DepEd).

“Sometimes parents saw it as disrespectful and even berated them. Let’s take a break because this could be a manifestation of the fact that children are going through difficult times, ”Ronilda Co, director of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRMS) at DepEd, told the Inquirer.

Other indicators that they have mental health issues, Co said, are isolation, nightmares, problems sleeping or concentrating, and irritability. There may also be physical manifestations such as hyperventilation and other breathing problems. Co cited other signs to watch out for, such as confusion and sadness which, if left untreated, could worsen and lead to thoughts of suicide.

“We need to watch these protests so that we know when to help and talk to the children,” she said.

Psychological distress

With the aim of helping elementary and secondary school students cope with disruptions in the education system resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, DepEd has launched various initiatives, including strengthening its mental health helpline.

Through the helpline system, learners, teachers and the general public can get in touch with various health organizations across the country that can help them cope with mental and psychological distress.

Hotline workers can talk to learners and assess whether they need to be referred to mental health experts such as psychologists or psychiatrists.

In addition, DepEd staff in regional offices can also visit affected students at home to learn more about and understand their situation.

Co said the biggest challenge learners face is the modular distance learning method. In the current configuration, students find it difficult to balance their schoolwork load and household responsibilities.

The loss of human interaction while they remain locked inside their home, in addition to the issues their parents face, can also contribute to their distress.

“Some parents have lost their jobs, especially the breadwinners, and they are having a hard time dealing with the experience. So it really does trickle down to the kids, ”Co. said.

The Tala TV series

In addition to the helpline system, DepEd offered psychosocial support services to primary school learners through a television series called “Tuklasin, Alamin, Likhain at Alalahanin” or Tala. It offers music, storytelling segments and artistic activities aimed at “ensuring the proper development of children’s socio-emotional learning”.

Airing on DepEd TV every Saturday at 7 a.m., Tala also gives tips for parents to identify and recognize their children’s emotions and strengths and help them build their self-esteem.

However, high school students can participate in the OKKK! Tambayan (Online Kahusayan at Katatagan ng Kabataan) where there are group discussions.

“We give them a space to interact with mental health experts who are our resource people every week,” said Co.

There are also programs to help students with disabilities, she said, noting that they are considering establishing specific psychosocial supports for learners from Muslim and indigenous groups.

Teachers are not left out

For teachers and school staff, there are seminars and capacity building initiatives to ensure that their mental health needs are also considered.

Co said that every Wednesday there are small group “kamustahan” and sessions for teachers across the country “to provide them with the anchor in the management and ongoing management of what they are going through.”

In July last year, DepEd also showcased the ‘Gabay Bahay’ project to help empower parents and caregivers as they provide advice and support to their children amid the pandemic.

“Our ultimate goal is, 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 this, we can be proud and say that we have achieved resilience. Co said.

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