2021 School Mental Health Program, Projects and Activities 

2021 Division Celebration of the National Mental Health Month A Virtual Interaction

Pagasa, Pagtutulungan at Pagbangon sa Panahon ng Pandemya

IPursuant to DepEd order no. 148, s. 2018 or the Observance of the National Mental health Week and the World Mental health Day; Presidential proclamation number 452 s. of 1994 or the Declaration of the Second week of October of every year as National Mental Health Week, and Republic act no 11036 or the National mental health law,  the School health Section proposes the conduct of the Fearless: Fearless: A Division Celebration of Mental Health Month and Virtual Interaction

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Mental health plays an important role in the overall functioning of a person. Disruption in the mental health of a person can create a severe impact not only to the person itself but also to their respective families and to the community where they belong. These kinds of illnesses and conditions may also result not only to physical or psychological symptoms but also can lead to violence towards others or themselves and even death. 

The unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in the implementation of various forms of quarantine and greatly affected the education system and it includes the school calendar. In response, DepEd has been making coordinated measures and proportionate response to the crisis to ensure the quality of education.  

The Department of Health issued the interim guidelines upon returning back to work as reiterated on DM 2020-0220. Specific guidelines were stipulated that shall be followed from administrative, engineering controls, prevention and control measures.  In the same manner, the Division Office of Cabuyao has issued the Division memorandum, no 44. S 20202 or the Recommendations and Measures Against Covid-19 for DepEd Offices, School Classrooms and Facilities. The aim of this memorandum is to guide all the teaching and non-teaching personnel on the different measures that shall be followed at all offices and schools. These changes might have caused some troubles on the mental health of our personnel. This might include anxieties and stresses on coping up with the new normal and challenges brought about by the pandemic crisis of COVID-19. The world health organization stressed out that fear, worry, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats, and at times when we are faced with uncertainty or the unknown. So, it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important that we look after our mental, as well as our physical, health.

This webinar concert is anchored to the realization of the Philippine Professional Standard for School Heads domain number 4 – developing self and others specifically under strand number 4.5 demonstrating knowledge and understanding of professional development in enhancing strengths and in addressing performance gaps among school personnel and PPT strands 7.2 adopting practices that uphold the dignity of teaching as a profession by exhibiting qualities such as caring attitudes, respect and integrity which is also a priority concern among school heads as indicated in the Professional Development (PD) Priorities for School Heads for 2020-2023.

Participants would be able to realize the different ways of coping up with the different challenges and stress under the new normal and in turn will help them in their daily lives in this new era amidst the pandemic crisis. 

Learning packages to be utilized in this webinar came from a mental health professional. A duly licensed psychologist, practitioner and academician. This shall be discussed through a webinar session attended by school heads, heath coordinators and school mental health program coordinators/guidance counselors.