COPING WITH

MENTAL HEALTH
ISSUE DURING A
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
by: Ramona D. Marcellana, RN, MAN
 GLOBAL DEFINITIONS

• The composite term “mental health and psychosocial

support / MHPSS is used in the Inter-agency Standing
Committee (IASC) guidelines for MHPSS in emergency
setting to describe ‘any type of local or outside support
that aims to protect or promote psychosocial well being
and / or prevent or treat mental health condition
 RA 11036 (Mental Health Law)
• Reinforce the integration of mental health in school health programs OK sa
DEPED programs.
• Anchor’s on DEPED mandate under RA 11036 (Mental Health Law)
• Mental Health Promotion/ raising awareness on mental health issue.
• Identification and provision of support and services of individual at risk
• Facilitating access including referrals mechanism of individual with mental
health condition to treatment and psychosocial support.
 CORE PRINCIPLES:

• DO NO HARM
• Promote human rights and equality.
• Use participatory approaches build on existing resources and
capacities.
• Adapt multi-layered interventions.
• Work with integrated support systems.
Intervention pyramid for mental health and psychosocial
support
• Mental health care by mental health specialist (psychiatric Specialized
nurse, guidance counselor, psychologist and psychiatrist).
services

• Basic mental healthcare (PFA provider)..

Focused, non
specialized
• Basic emotional and practical support by community services
workers.

• Activating social network. Supportive child friendly spaces.

Community and
Communal traditional support (teaching personnel). family support

• Advocacy for basic services that are safe. Basic services and security
• Socially appropriate and protect dignity.
 Coping up with Mental Health Issues
• Determining the best ways of sign posting delivering mental health
services for vulnerable groups including online clinics and
community support.
• Identify and evaluate outreach methods to support those at risk of
depression within home.
• Improve monitoring and reporting of the rates of anxiety,
depression, self harm, suicide and other mental health issues.
•Respond in a supportive and loving
way and acknowledge their fears.
•Give extra time and attention.
•Establish routines.
•Discuss any question they may have.
•EMPHASIZE ON
WHAT CAN BE
CONTROLLED.
 UNPLUG FROM THE
CONSTANT NEWS
CYCLE
Take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news
stories including social media. Hearing about the
pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
 Get help when you need it!
• Call or use social media to contact a close friend or loved one even though it may
be hard to talk about your feelings.
• Contract a minister or spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
• Call your employee assistance program, if your employer has one and get
counseling or ask for a referral to am mental health professional.
• Call your primary care provider or mental health professional to ask about
appointment options to talk about your anxiety.
• Contact mental health organization for help and guidance.
• If you are feeling suicidal or thinking of hurting yourself, seek help!
 Self Care Strategies
• Take care of your mind and your body.
• Get enough sleep.
• Participate on regular physical activity.
• Eat healthy.
• Limit to exposure to news media.
• Focus on positive thoughts.
• Avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs.
• Relax and recharge.
• Use your moral compass and spiritual life for support.
• Do something for others/ Support family members or a friend.
• Continue your self-care strategies.
 THANK YOU! 
KEEP SAFE AND STAY MENTALLY
HEALTHY!

GODBLESS US ALL!..