SENATOR Win Gatchalian has urged school officials to be mindful of the mental health of their students and teachers who are more vulnerable to stress and anxiety because of the Covid19 pandemic.

He urged schools to provide psycho-social first aid, hold regular counseling sessions and to capacitate personnel to support each other through peer counseling programs.

“Bahagi ng ating pakikipaglaban sa Covid19 ang pangangalaga hindi lamang sa pang pisikal na pangangatawan kundi pati na sa kalusugan ng kaisipan ng ating mga kabataan, lalo na’t nananatili ang takot at kawalan ng kasiguruhan sa kapakanan ng kanilang mga pamilya, pati na rin sa usapin ng edukasyon. Mahalaga ang tungkulin ng ating mga paaralan upang bigyan ng pang-unawa at suporta ang ating mga kabataan upang hindi sila mawalan ng pag-asa,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

The National Center for Mental Health has reported a surge in suicide-related calls since the implementation of lockdown measures. It said that from January to March 2020, the average monthly number of calls was 33, but this doubled to 66 in April.

The number rose to 80 in May, 112 in June, and 115 in July.

The Depart of Education said there was one documented case of a learner’s suicide because of the negative effects of Covid19.

As young Filipinos face uncertainties because of job losses in their families and the shift to distance learning, Gatchalian said that giving psychosocial support to learners is more urgent now than ever.