Tan, Patrick Ray C.

BSN1-A
210096
REFLECTION

1. State the Issue and trend chosen

The issue that I have chosen is the topic of mental health and well-being of
children in the Philippine setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Write an introduction after reading the issue. State your reason why you
choose the topic.
According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), mental health illnesses
rank as the third most common form of morbidity among Filipinos. In the
assessment conducted on the Philippine mental health system, 16% of mental
disorders among children were reported. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the
fear of getting infected by the virus, the shift to online classes, and the decrease of
social support from school peers add a burden to the mental well-being of children.
Unlike adults, the youth is more vulnerable to developing mental health issues such
as depression and anxiety, which can lead to worse problems such as substance
abuse and suicide. I chose this issue because it correlates with my status,
especially since I have my fair share of mental breakdowns throughout the online
classes. Additionally, I feel that this issue is not being given light by the Philippines
government and society as this is not physical but it is evident that these mental
issues are already a crippling problem for the youth that can go worse if untreated
or if they cannot cope up anymore. Hence, I have more of a personal connection
to this topic.

3. What are your comments or opinions about what was said?

The paper talks about the status of mental health of the youth in the country
as well as several factors that affect this aspect. While reading the research article,
some of my comments are 1. The article states that there are only five government
hospitals with psychiatric facilities for children, 84 general hospitals with psychiatric
units. Additionally, only 60 child psychiatrists are practicing in the Philippines, with
the majority of them practicing in urban areas such as the National Capital Region.
The research also started with how various strategies have been implemented to
address the mental health impacts of COVID-19 on Filipinos such as mental health
hotlines and webinars yet these interventions are limited to the general population,
and interventions that are specific to addressing the mental health situation of
children remain scarce and staggered. This kind of information was shocking to me
as I didn't expect the figures to be that low and it just shows that the country has
few resources and manpower to deal with the third most common form of morbidity
among Filipinos. Its strategies are severely lacking and most of them cannot be
visible to the general populace, much more to the isolated communities. 2. The
research also talks about how the shift to online classes and the numerous effects
that came along with it can worsen a child's depression, and how the Philippines'
militarization response to the pandemic which leads to increased military presence
in communities may exacerbate the fears, especially to the youth, already
emanating from the pandemic itself. These factors made me think about how the
Philippines' government could solve these issues if they tackled the pandemic
more efficiently as the research just showed me how the stalled answer of the
government to the pandemic means that the consequences, some of which are
overlooked, are getting worse.
4. Are you on the same page with the author? Explain the reason why you
agree or disagree.
With the issues that were discussed in the research article. I can say that I
am on the same page with the author as various research that I read last time
supported the fact that the pandemic has worsened the mental status of the youth
in the country, as well as I, can see now that the authorities lack resources,
manpower, and strategies in dealing with this problem. The only thing that I am
unsure of is how the militarization response can cause fear in the children.
Although the research article also stated that local evidence to confirm this
association is still lacking. I also think that the increased military presence here is
not damaging to the youths' mental health as some children may not see these
presences as they are confined to their homes while adolescents may not see
these men with fear but with a bit of disappointment because the government is
dealing with the pandemic militarily.

5. Have you experienced anything that can be applied to the main ideas?
Among all of the findings in the research article, the one that I have
experienced that can be applied to the main idea is the distress from online classes.
The added workload, inadequate and lacking learning experience, and interaction
limited to the virtual world only took a toll on my mental health. Back when I still
haven't received my vaccine, the thought of getting the virus also added to my
anxiety. This online setup was really a rollercoaster for me. Although school is
always hard, the actual presence of my friends alleviates my stress. Now with the
uncooperative internet and the thought of whether I am learning anything at all, I
can see that online class is not for me. Hence this main idea of the research article
is something that I have deep experience with and correlates with.

6. Is the chosen topic applicable to today’s reality, the modern world on

health education?
Mental health is part of the psychological aspect of health and as health
education is about assisting people to learn health-related behaviors and giving
information so that they can better maintain and promote their health, teaching
individuals to care for their mental health is also part of health education. The
importance of mental health is also obvious as the deterioration of it can cause
anxiety and depression, especially to the youth who are vulnerable to emotions.
This aspect can lead them to lose productivity, lose the will to live, fall into the
temptations of vices such as substance abuse and smoking, and suicide.
Henceforth, this topic is applicable to the modern world's health education as health
professionals should also include mental health education so that they can have
the ability to inform others on how to take care of their mental health.

7. Write the reference and date access.

Reference: Malolos, G., Baron, M., Apat, F., Sagsagat, H., Pasco, P.,
Aportadera, E., Tan, R., Gacutno-Evardone, A. J., & Lucero-Prisno Iii, D. E.
(2021) . Mental health and well-being of children in the Philippine setting during
the COVID-19 pandemic. Health promotion perspectives, 11(3) , 267–270.
https://doi.org/10.34172/hpp.2021.34

Date access: March 29, 2022