Sobs at Night Ends at Dawn - To the Next Battle, Go On

by Jerry Bombane (Editor-in-Chief)

A virus that killed thousands of people and led most lives in an unforeseen direction.

We have faced an unexpected situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic that rapidly spread across the country. All the schools in our country, both public and private, have shut their doors, and classes have shifted to online and modular learning in order to help slow the spread. The transition to distance learning has impacted not only the teachers, who have to amend the curriculum but also the students who have to adjust to a new learning environment.

The Philippines, through the announcement of the Department of Education (DepEd), were among the countries that suspended their physical classes for the remaining months of School Year 2019-2020 to help limit the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or known as the novel coronavirus, the virus that caused COVID-19. It took effect when President Rodrigo Duterte declared Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ) on March 16, 2020 to restrict the movement of the population. Education or learning at home, through alternative modes of delivery, continued on this school year.

Due to this sudden shift, students succumbed to a lot of struggles this school year. The unreliable signal and internet connectivity issues, the need to use a gadget for a couple of hours, and the workload are causing anxiety to students, affecting not only their physical health but also their mental health. These things are beyond our control, but there are things that we could control. For example, some students after class still want to play mobile games until late at night instead of spending that time to have enough rest. They fail to use their time wisely or have time management.

Mental health problems can be unreasonably seen as a weakness of character or will - as if it’s something that can be easily controlled. The inability to soothe anxiety and negative thoughts on their own can prevent sufferers from asking for help and can be debilitating and add to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Yet, we should keep in mind that online class is not the sole problem because although challenging, online class, like other important activities we do, is manageable and worthy of our time.

We certainly can’t prevent all mental health problems - factors like genetics and traumatic life events play a role. But everyone can take steps to improve their mental health and prevent further mental health problems. Establishing healthy habits like eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, having regular exercise, avoiding too much playing of mobile and online games and surfing on social media, taking regular breaks, engaging in doing your hobbies, and keeping in touch with family members and friends, can go a long way to improve yourself physically and mentally. In addition, getting rid of self-destructive habits such as engaging in self-pity or ruminating on the past could also do wonders for your well-being.

To all the students, be focused on the future while making sure you’re doing well in the present instead of thinking too much about the past, on what was life before the pandemic. Moreover, you shouldn’t feel you are unworthy or useless. Keep going. Believe that the world will be better and there’s always something good in store for us tomorrow. Be kind to yourself as much as you care for others. If you feel tired, take a rest just like the gadgets we are using that need to be charged in order to work, to continue serving a purpose. #

IN FRAME: Jerry (while attending a synchronous session)