EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO THE MENTAL

HEALTH OF STUDENTS
1. Stress
2. Anxiety
3. Fear
4. Sadness
5. Loneliness
6. Depression

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the

COVID-19 virus outbreak as a pandemic due to the exponential increase in the
number of cases in more than 100 countries. Then on 16 March, 2020 President
Duterte placed the entire Philippines under a “State of Calamity” amid the threats
posed by COVID-19. Since then, the Philippines has been battling the spread of
COVID-19, coupled with the surmountable challenge of addressing the most basic
health and socio-economic needs of the people. 

INTRODUCTION
In the Philippines, a survey of 1,879 respondents measuring the psychological
effects of COVID-19 during its early phase in 2020 was released. Results showed
that one-fourth of respondents reported moderate-to-severe anxiety, while one-sixth
reported moderate-to-severe depression.

One in five students worldwide experienced one or more diagnosable mental

disorders and Students have been identified as a vulnerable group
experiencing significant levels of stress, anxiety, depression, fear, sadness and
loneliness affecting their mental health. The pandemic had also
caused psychological stress among the students, making it difficult for them to focus
on studying.

DISCUSSION
Early in March 2020, social distancing policies, were imposed around the
world to contain the spread of COVID-19 to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases
and fatalities. This actions prouduces on line classes on schools and universities.
The pandemic caused further shocks to the system with schools forced to shut down
during the lockdown period, and the transition of students and teachers to online
teaching-learning. Lack of mobile gadgets to use for online classes hampers a
student's education. Time can be hard to manage properly.
 There is an expectation for students to juggle studies and help with household
chores the entire day. Numerous strategies have been utilized to address the mental
health impacts of COVID-19 on Filipinos. With the mental health implications
predicted at the beginning of the pandemic, the Psychological Association of the
Philippines has compiled a list of free telemedicine consultations. As of August 24,
the Philippine Red Cross has also established a COVID-19 hotline with 9790 helpline
volunteers to address mental health and other similar concerns. The Department of
Health has also conducted nationwide campaigns in observance of the National
Mental Health Week.

These interventions are limited to the general population, and strategies

specific to addressing the mental health situation of children remain scarce and
staggered. Compounding factors of classifying among the lower- to middle-income
countries of militarization, natural disasters, and child labor and abuse have yet to be
considered. In addition, it is also important to consider that happiness, with its
multifactorial nature, is a vital component of an individual’s overall wellbeing. The
fear and anxiety of contracting the virus, the suspension of physical classes, the
disruption of regular daily routine, and the decrease of social support from school
peers collectively add burden to the mental well-being of children. The shift to online
classes increases the burden on the mental well-being of children. Excessive use of
these technologies has been associated with developmental delays and has resulted
in sleep schedule disruptions. This situation is aggravated by the strict
implementation of the confinement of children at home. Children living with
preexisting mental health concerns, and living in cramped households and
communities face worse circumstances.

The combined effects of the pandemic and the lockdown on the quality of life
of students has not previously been assessed. Study showed that an impaired
mental health was associated with female sex, reduced learning time, reduced
access to the outside, and other difficulties with the living situation.

Our mental health has a direct impact on our ability to take in new information,
understand new concepts and master new skills. When struggling with depression,
anxiety or other mental health issues, working on assignments and attending classes
can become impossible. The pandemic may have worsened children's mental health
or exacerbated existing mental health issues among children. The pandemic
caused disruptions in routines and social isolation for children, which can be
associated with anxiety and depression and can have implications for mental health
later in life.

Teachers said in the COVID 19 pandemic and post-Covid times, students are
facing serious challenges of learning losses and reduced academic skills and over-
exposure and dependence on internet and gadgets.
 Mental health problems can affect a student's energy level, concentration,
dependability, mental ability, and optimism, hindering performance. Research
suggests that depression is associated with lower grade point averages, and that co-
occurring depression and anxiety can increase this association.

Study indicates that students who report symptoms of severe mental health
problems have about four times the risk of experiencing low academic self-efficacy
compared with those who report few and moderate symptoms of mental health
problems. A situation in which anxiety contributes to worries, motor restlessness,
unfounded fear of not accomplishing things, in combination with procrastination and
avoidance behavior, may contribute to students developing problems in participating
actively in learning and study situations. This may in turn contribute to avoidance,
isolation and loneliness, leading to poorer academic- and social inclusion with both
fellow students and staff at the educational institution. They found that low academic
self-efficacy had a clear association with low completion of credits. In contrast, a
cross-sectional study in the United States, in which clinical instruments were used to
investigate the relationship between psychiatric diagnoses and academic
performance, researchers found that generalized anxiety had a positive influence on
academic performance. The fact that academic self-efficacy has been identified as a
mediator between anxiety and academic performance, may help explain some
contradictory results in different studies. Overall, though, they reported that mental
health issues showed a weak, negative association with academic performance,
Further, they suggest that students’ ability to cope with the academic situation
depends, at least partly, on their understanding of and ability to handle emotional
difficulties .  

RECOMMENDATIONS
Consider the following actions:

 Educate staff, parents, and students on symptoms of and help for mental health
problems.
 Promote social and emotional competency and build resilience.
 Help ensure a positive, safe school environment.
 Teach and reinforce positive behaviors and decision-making.
 Encourage helping others.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Stress - any type of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological
strain. Stress is your body's response to anything that requires attention
or action. Everyone experiences stress to some degree.
2. Anxiety - a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat,
feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal
reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with
a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an
important decision.

3. Fear - an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is

dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

4. Sadness - an emotional state of unhappiness, ranging in intensity from mild to

extreme and usually aroused by the loss of something that is highly
valued.

5. Loneliness -  the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social

contact. a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack or loss of
companionship, which happens when there is a mismatch between
the quantity and quality of the social relationships that we have, and
those that we want.

6. Depression - is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and
loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical
depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to
a variety of emotional and physical problems. Depression is a
common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults
suffer from the disorder. It is characterized by persistent sadness
and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or
enjoyable activities. It can also disturb sleep and appetite.

7. Exacerbated - transitive verb. : to make more violent, bitter, or severe. 

SUMMARY
The already-challenged state of mental well-being of Filipino children has
been worsened by the pandemic and the lack of good mental health policies by the
government. While there is increasing awareness for mental health, children-
centered interventions remain deficient. Approaches must integrate commonly-
known mental health effects on children with existing and anticipated Philippine
societal issues. Without doing so, it may be expected that as the COVID-19
pandemic is mitigated, a mental health epidemic will replace it.