The COVID-19 pandemic’s most far-reaching impact is its huge toll on people’s mental health. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 23 to 46 percent of healthcare workers experience anxiety symptoms, while 20 to 37 percent have depression. Burnout has also reportedly spiked among the population, even more so heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Control methods for COVID have become increasingly definitive and reliable, and the same focus should be directed toward the parallel pandemic of mental health problems. As WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his foreword to the WHO World Mental Health Report for 2022: “Ultimately, there is no health without mental health.”
Kumusta? How have you been feeling during this pandemic? Are you harboring negative thoughts or an inability to see the future? Are you often irritable and agitated?
This Friday, November 25, from 12nn to 2 pm, the University of the Philippines (UP), in partnership with UP Manila National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), National Telehealth Center (NTC), and cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), would like to invite you to join the fight against C.O.V.I.D—current COVID-19 problems, other outbreaks, viruses, infections, and disasters.
This episode of UP’s “Stop C.O.V.I.D. Deaths” webinar series, titled “PARA! GUSTO KO BUMABA! It’s Okay not to feel Okay,” will tackle stress, mental health, and well-being of students, doctors, nurses, and health professionals.
Dr. Josefina Ly-Uson, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the UP-PGH, will discuss the Wellness Program of UP-PGH and the College of Medicine. Meanwhile, Dr. Noel D.J. Atienza, the Dean of the College of Medicine at San Beda University, will share their university’s efforts toward protecting and promoting mental health. Dr. Teresita Cadiz-Brion, former Dean of the College of Public Health at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), will also share the PLM’s experience.
Register here and catch our weekly live tweets and streams via the UP System Twitter account, TVUP’s YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
The award-winning UP “Stop COVID Deaths” Webinar Series is the Philippines’ first and only frontline-focused medical webinar series. It pioneered the discussion, dissemination, and adoption of knowledge on COVID-19 treatment and management. Follow our accounts to stay connected with your credible online community.
