ESP MATICapsule

November is FILIPINO VALUES MONTH! “PAGPAPAHALAGANG PILIPINO: Pinagyaman at Pinatatag ng pamilya sa Panahon ng Pandemya”

MHPSS

(Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Services)

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Services

Ms. Virginia T. Camarinas

MHPSS Focal Person

Ang mental health, o lusog-isip, ay hindi lang kawalan ng sakit sa isip. Ang mental health ay tungkol sa well-being o kahusayan ng buong pagkatao.

Ang pagkakatutok natin sa mga panganib na dulot ng COVID-19 ay maaaring magdulot ng pagkawala natin ng focus sa mental health. Napaka-importante na pagtuunan din ito ng pansin upang i-manage ang stress na dulot ng iba't ibang salik araw-araw. It’s ok na hindi maging okay. Kaya hinihikayat naming na tumawag sa aming hotline para makipagusap at makapagbahagi ng anumang bumabagabag sa iyo sa aming mental health crisis responders. Paalala, anuman ang gawin natin sa panahong ito ay maaaring maligtas hindi lamang tayo, kundi pati ang ating mga mahal sa buhay, sa kapahamakan

Project WE CARE

Ikaw ba ay may dinaramdam? Nababahala? Kailangan ng kausap?

Tara! Pag usapan natin iyan!

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Bukas ang aming linya via Google Meet tuwing Biyernes alas 3:00 ng hapon hanggang 5:00 ng hapon upang tumungon sa iyong tawag.

Maaring mag-iwan ng mesahe sa aming facebook account na handang tumugon sa iyong mga pangangailangan.

Kamusta ka? Tara usap tayo!

RATIONALE

1. The united efforts of the country against COVID-19 have been instrumental in slowing the spread of the virus and the disease. However, its full containment has not yet been attained. In this time of threat, challenges, and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to find ways for learning opportunities to be provided,

while ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all learners, teachers, and personnel.

2. As stipulated in Resolution No. 29 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), dated April 27, 2020, all decisions to impose, lift, or extend community quarantine rests with the IATF, although local authorities may impose enhanced community quarantine upon the concurrence of their respective regional inter-agency task groups. The decision to impose, lift, or extend community quarantine should be based on the parameters identified in IATF Resolution No. 19, which include:

a. Trends in the COVID-19 epidemiological curve, which include, among others, the doubling time, acceleration, or deceleration of new cases;

b. Capacity of the health care system, which includes, among others, the number and availability of quarantine, isolation, and treatment facilities, the capability to mount contact tracing, availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to frontliners, and the testing capacity of the country;

c. Social factors;

d. Economic factors; and

e. Security factors.

3. Guided by its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP), the Department of Health (DOH) Guidelines on the Risk-Based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation (DOH Administrative Order No. 2020- 0015), other applicable guidelines by the DOH and the IATF, and policy directives by the President, DepEd adopts the Required Health Standards to be followed in all basic education schools and community learning centers (CLCs), and DepEd offices, when and to the extent that personnel, teachers, non-teaching personnel, and learners will already be allowed to physically return to DepEd schools and/or offices.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

For the purpose of this Policy, the operational definition of the following terms are as follows:

a. Isolation - the separation of ill or infected persons from others to prevent the spread of infection or contamination

b. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) - used to describe a range of activities that aims to protect/promote psychosocial well-being of individuals and communities in their affected environment and/or prevent or treat mental disorder

c. Most-at-risk Population (MARP) - population groups who have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection, such as individuals who are aged 60 and above, pregnant, or have underlying conditions or comorbidity at risk of COVID-19 exacerbation

d. Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) - protective garments or equipment worn by individuals to increase personal safety from infectious agents

e. Quarantine - the restriction of movement, or separation from the rest of the population, of healthy persons who may have been exposed to the virus, with the objective of monitoring their symptoms and ensuring early detection of case. This covers self-quarantine or community quarantine in this policy.

f. Vulnerable Groups - socially disadvantaged groups that are most susceptible to suffer directly from disasters and health events, including senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals, women, children, persons deprived of liberty (PDL), persons with disabilities (PDL), members of indigenous peoples (IPs), internally displaced persons (IDPs), and indigenous cultural communities (ICCs), among others.

POLICY STATEMENT

6. In accordance with the principles guiding the BE-LCP, the Department establishes the DepEd Required Health Standards to ensure the protection of the health, safety and well-being of learners, teachers and personnel, and prevent the further transmission of COVID-19.

7. This Policy facilitates the safe return of learners, teachers and personnel to schools/CLCs and offices, at the time and to the extent as will be allowed by the DOH, the IATF, or the President.

8. The policy is informed by relevant official guidelines, complemented by other credible sources, and balanced by DepEd’s own risk assessments

DEPED REQUIRED HEALTH STANDARDS FRAMEWORK

9. The IATF released its Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, outlining the rules and guidelines for all forms of community quarantine that may be applied in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to these guidelines, all forms of community quarantine aimed at preventing further transmission of COVID-19 require adherence to minimum public health standards.

10. In accordance with the DOH Guidelines on the Risk-Based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation (DOH AO No. 2020-0015) and consistent with the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP), the DepEd Required Health Standards framework is mainly composed of four COVID

19 Mitigation Objectives:

a. Increase Physical and Mental Resilience

b. Reduce Transmission

c. Reduce Contact

d. Reduce Duration of Infection

11. Additional references consulted in the development of this framework include the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention¹for a holistic approach to minimum health standards for adoption by schools; the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization– International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO-IIEP) Plan for School Reopening²for key factors in guaranteeing the well-being of learners, teachers, and staff in schools; the Johns Hopkins Public Health Principles for a Phased Reopening During COVID-19: Guidance for Governors³breakdown of risks involved in mass gathering, including sports activities and other events; and UNESCO’s⁴framework for reopening schools.

12.The specific measures for the standards are enumerated in Enclosure No. 2 and Enclosure No. 3.

A. Increase Physical and Mental Resilience

13. Guided by the strategies identified in the DOH Guidelines on the Risk-Based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation, key interventions in the

¹Center for Disease Control and Prevention Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (2020)

²International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP) UNESCO: Plan for School Reopening (2020) ³John Hopkins: Public Health Principles for a Phased Reopening During COVID-19: Guidance for Governors (2020)

⁴UNESCO/UNICEF/World Bank/World Food Programme: Framework for Reopening Schools (2020)

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DepEd Required Health Standards aim to increase the physical resilience of learners. Standards include the re-establishment of regular and safe delivery of essential school-based services, adapted school-based feeding, continuous promotion of “school-life balance”, and learners’ engagement in daily physical activities provided physical distancing is observed. Similarly, personnel in DepEd offices shall be encouraged to engage in at least 30 minutes of daily physical activities subject to the strict observance of physical distancing, and to observe proper hygiene, safety, and other precautionary measures.

Smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages shall be discouraged, and related bans strictly implemented.

14. The Department likewise places priority on the protection and promotion of the mental health and general welfare of all learners and personnel. Interventions to increase mental resilience include discussion/facilitation of modules related to mental health within the first week of return to school, operationalization of a guidance office in every school to provide basic mental health services to learners and personnel, and the establishment of counseling services through a hotline/platform in SDOs. Likewise, a hotline/platform for counseling services shall be established at the CO for its personnel in the CO and ROs. Moreover, interventions for DepEd offices include provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and debriefing sessions to personnel, and the promotion of “work-life balance” through proper scheduling of activities and rotation of workforce.

15. Appropriate support for the essential workforce, vulnerable groups, and most-at-risk population (MARP) learners and personnel shall be ensured by this Policy.

B. Reduce Transmission

16. In accordance with DOH AO No. 2020-0015, strategies to reduce transmission in schools/CLCs and DepEd offices include sustaining appropriate information and education campaigns on proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette, ensuring that symptomatic individuals be required to stay at home and seek medical consultation, institutionalizing routine cleaning and disinfecting of workstations and touch areas such as toilets, door knobs, switches at least once every day for workstations, ensuring access to basic hygiene facilities, and the rational use of personal protective equipment (PPEs) such as masks.

17. In addition to the standards set in DepEd Order (DO) No. 10, s. 2016, titled Policy and Guidelines for the Comprehensive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WINS) Program, schools/CLCs that will be allowed to deliver face-to face learning will be required to conduct orientation on proper respiratory etiquette for learners, teachers, and personnel.

C. Reduce contact

18. To reduce contact in all schools/CLCs and offices, the DepEd Required Health Standards directs the implementation of strict physical distancing of at least 1 meter apart in all common areas.

19. Travel and activities of learners and personnel shall be limited to those most essential. The conduct of large physical gatherings and other activities where

physical distancing may not be possible will be restricted. Online platforms for meetings, training, and conferences shall be utilized instead.

20. In compliance with the IATF Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines and the Revised Interim Guidelines for Alternative Work Arrangements and Support Mechanisms for Workers in the Government During the Period of State of National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic (CSC Memorandum Circular No. 10, s. 2020), DepEd has issued its revised policy on alternative work arrangements to minimize contact in schools/CLCs and offices, through DO No. 011, s. 2020.

D. Reduce duration of infection

21. In order to reduce the duration of infection of COVID-19, early detection and isolation of symptomatic individuals must be ensured in all schools/CLCs and offices.

22. Pursuant to DepEd Memorandum (DM) No. 15, s. 2020 (First Set of Policy Directives of the DepEd Task Force nCoV), the Preventive Alert System in Schools (PASS) shall continue its operation to be able to identify possible cases. Part of the procedure is the daily health inspection to detect symptoms of infection.

23. Schools/CLCs and DepEd offices shall ensure the establishment/setting up/refurbishment of their own clinics for health assessment, provision of appropriate interventions such as first aid or treatment, and proper management of symptoms of learners, teachers, personnel, and when applicable, of visitors. Clinics shall ensure the provision of referral services and follow up of status of learners, teachers, and personnel in appropriate health facilities.

SUPPORT MECHANISMS FOR THE DEPED REQUIRED HEALTH STANDARDS

51. To support the implementation of the identified strategies under each COVID 19 mitigation objective, the DepEd Required Health Standards shall also be supported by the following mechanisms:

A. Continuation of DepEd Task Force COVID-19

52. The DepEd Task Force COVID-19, created through DM No. 11, s. 2020, shall continue to lead the overall efforts of the Department in addressing the challenges of COVID-19 through policy recommendations and strategy development, monitoring of compliance by all schools/CLCs and DepEd offices to the DepEd Required Health Standards, DOH guidelines, and other relevant policy directives in relation to COVID-19, and performance of other functions and activities as may be necessary to carry out their mandate, or as the Secretary may direct.

53. The DepEd Task Force COVID-19 may be contacted through the Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), 3rd Floor, Mabini Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City at telephone no. (02) 8632-9935 or email at medical.nursing@deped.gov.ph.

B. Internal Situation Reports

54. The DepEd Task Force COVID-19 prepares regular internal situation reports containing updated statistics of infected persons nationally and within the Department, the latest action/s taken by DepEd in support of COVID-19 mitigation, and latest relevant issuance/s to keep the concerned DepEd officers adequately informed during the pandemic.

C. Communications Plan

55. The Department places great emphasis on the importance of maintaining clear communications, consultation, and coordination with learners, teachers, personnel, parents, and other education stakeholders in this time of uncertainty.

56. As such, close coordination with national government media channels such as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), DOH, and IATF will be done to ensure the dissemination of truthful and accurate information to all stakeholders.

57. New media channels across various online platforms, such as social media and streaming services, shall be strengthened for quick and wide dissemination of policies and announcements. Environment scanning for the collection of inputs from stakeholders will also be conducted to help in informing policy decisions.

58. The Public Affairs Service (PAS) will work closely with the DepEd Task Force COVID-19, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), Quick Response and Recovery Team (QRRT), Bureau of Learner Support Services School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), and other DepEd units in the dissemination of relevant preventive and safety information, support, and response in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

EFFECTIVITY/TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

60. This Policy shall take effect immediately upon publication in the DepEd website.

REFERENCES

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 10, s. 2020 “Revised Interim Guidelines for Alternative Work Arrangements”

Department of Education (DepEd) Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE LCP) "LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES SHALL BE AVAILABLE: The Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan in the Time of COVID-19"

DepEd Memorandum No. 11, s. 2020 “Creation of a Task Force for the Management of the Department of Education Response to Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease”

DepEd Memorandum No. 15, s. 2020 “First Set of Policy Directives of the DepEd Task Force on NCOV”

DepEd Memorandum No. 111, s. 2019 “Prohibiting the Use of E-Cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Delivery System and Reiterating the Absolute Tobacco Smoking Ban in Schools and DepEd Offices”

DepEd Order No. 011, s. 2020 “Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements in the Department of Education during the Period of State of National Emergency due to COVID-19 Pandemic”

DepEd Order No. 10, s. 2016 “Policy and Guidelines for the Comprehensive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WINS) Program”

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DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2017 “Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and in DepEd Offices”

DepEd Order No. 48, s. 2016 “Policy and Guidelines on Comprehensive Tobacco Control”

DepEd Task Force COVID-19 Memorandum No. 25, s. 2020 “Minimum Standards on Social Distancing/Baseline Protocols to be Observed in the Workplace, Travel and Home and Private Space and Time of Deployed Personnel during the Enhanced Community Quarantine”

DepEd Task Force COVID-19 Memorandum No. 39 “Strict Enforcement of Tobacco Control Policies, Including Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Policies, During the Enhanced and General Community Quarantine”

Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2020-0015 "Guidelines on the Risk-Based Public Health Standards for COVID-19 Mitigation"

DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0176 “ Interim Guidelines on the Rational Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Coronavirus Disease 2019”

DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0180 “Revised Interim Guidelines on Expanded Testing”

DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0189 “Updated Guidelines on Contact Tracing of Close Contacts of Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Cases”

DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0220 “Interim Guidelines on the Return to-Work”

Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases “Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines “

Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 19 Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 29 Republic Act (RA) No. 10173 “Data Privacy Act of 2012”

Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 “Universal Health Care Act”

PhilHealth Circular No. 2020-0009 “Benefit packages for the inpatient care of probable and confirmed COVID-19 developing severe illness/outcomes”

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