It’s no secret that students at this time are experiencing a different level of difficulty when it comes to their studies. This is one of the harsh consequences of COVID-19, quarantine, and online classes, on top of all the other challenges we naturally go through in our youth.

In light of this, we’ve previously shared stories on certain educational institutions implementing academic health breaks, and it seems that a lot of other universities are also taking a leaf out of their colleagues’ books and doing the same for their own students, or offering other similar services.

Lyceum Health Services Department

The Lyceum of the Philippines University opened its services to students who may need some non-urgent health assistance through the Health Services Department. This isn’t particularly specific to mental health concerns, but it’s still just as important to take care of as there are still a lot of diseases and common viruses that could potentially harm them outside COVID-19. Ultimately, physical health also greatly affects our mental stability, so it’s very important that we address it as well.

Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services

As one of the most prestigious campuses in the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University has a responsibility to serve as a role model for other academic institutions in improving standards and services. With that, the university has made its psychological services easily accessible to students with free therapy consultations, virtual webinars open for all, and more.

Holy Angel University mental health break

From September 22-30, the Angeles-based university held a much-needed mental health break as response to its students’ needs and demands. Aside from this, the Holy Angel University Student Council is also set to host a webinar on October 31, 2020 specifically on taking care of one’s mental health in this pandemic. The panel consists of experts such as psychiatrists and guidance counsellors to provide a deeper understanding of one’s self.

UP Diliman PsycServ

On top of offering free psychotherapy sessions for students, UP Diliman also just recently announced a week-long “reading break” for its students in the first week of November. To emphasize the university’s objective to provide some time off for both students and faculty members, it urged professors to refrain from setting deadlines on these dates, and conducting other forms of online classes, or lectures.

Telepsychology for the Lasallian Community

Just from the early days of quarantine in April, the De La Salle University leaders already launched one of the first programs in the country to offer mental health support to students. The program ran for 4 months until it was formally closed on October 7 to make way for more activities in the New Normal.

Although the number is still quite low as compared to the total amount of schools in the country, it’s still a major step up that merits some token of appreciation. In this way, perhaps even more education leaders will take it upon themselves to prioritize their student’s overall welfare with free counseling sessions, mental health webinars, and ultimately a more holistic approach to education amidst a pandemic.