Some 3.6 million Filipinos are suffering from mental disorders amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a Department of Health (DOH) survey. (Inquirer, 2020)
Part of these 3.6 million Filipinos who are suffering from mental health disorders are the teachers. Even before the pandemic began and lockdowns are implemented in our country, many teachers are suffering from it. Teachers are also human being and not exempted from frustrations, disappointments and rejections especially inside the school system. Many are hiding their feelings and emotions through their laughs and busy schedules yet underneath it all are the declining mental health.
It is not new that teaching is one of the busiest and hardest occupation in the country. As the saying goes “Maraming tumatandang dalaga sa pagtuturo” because teachers have so much in their tables. Including those work are preparing lessons, checking of papers, computing grades, submitting a lot of reports, and many more activities from different departments of the government.
Teachers are bombarded with a lot of work that is why mental health is mostly neglected for us. There are physical examinations every year yet the support for mental health is not always discussed. For students, there is no doubt that the school guidance counselors are advocates of mental health awareness because they are the at most priority yet teachers also need support and guiding assistance at times.
In this time of pandemic, the anxiety level of people increased including some of the teachers especially during total lockdowns and quarantine. The “cabin fever, or getting depressed from being cooped up indoors arises.
Gladly, the Department of Education made an effort to increase the mental health awareness of teachers and how to properly take care of ourselves holistically through webinars. There are lot of tips on how to deal with mental health problems and the institution is now more open in discussing it with the licensed medical practitioners. Being healthy does not mean just being healthy physically but we must also be conscious on our mental health. If our thinking is well, everything in our physical body follows.
Mental health matters. Taking care of our mental health aids in our resilience and recovery from anything that happens. Our mental health affects how we cope with life and as teachers, we must be an inspiration and role model in keeping our minds and body healthy.
By: Cyrene Joy B. Bermido | Teacher II | Olongapo City National High school
