A survey conducted on the psychological impact of the pandemic here in the Philippines showed that 13.4 percent of the respondents experience moderate to severe stress levels. Those affected include students and the youth.
According to the survey results, the prolonged home-stay and reports of poor health status as well as unnecessary worry, concerns for family members, and discrimination were among the causes with greater psychological impact of the pandemic and higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Childlink Managing Director and President Ms. Maria Theresa Tio
Recognizing the need for intervention to address any adverse effects of the pandemic, Childlink Learning Center and High School Inc. and their students participated in a webinar that focused on how one can take care oneโs self, explained Ms. Maria Theresa Tio, Childlink managing director and president.
Held on October 16, 2021, Saturday, the webinar featured Ms. Karen Espiritu, a life coach and training facilitator, who discussed the topic on โCaring For Your Well-Being.โ
Ms. Karen Espiritu, the speaker of the webinar on Caring for your Well being is a life coach and training facilitator based in New York City
Ms. Espiritu stressed that a personโs well-being is one of the things that every person can control. She explained that this can be done by being mindful, by taking time to reflect on their lives, by praying and meditating. She urged participants to make a gratitude list of the things they have so that they could recognize their blessings, cherish these and be thankful for it.
She also noted that being physically active reduces negative thoughts and improves cognitive function. Participants were also encouraged to learn new things and new skills so that their minds would not dwell on the pandemic and how it has affected them. Acquiring new skills and knowledge can also help open opportunities for each person in the future.
Ms. Karen Espiritu also stressed the importance of continuous connection and interaction with their loved ones so they could form positive relationships that could provide comfort, strength and support.
Finally, by being generous, giving to others and sharing with others as much as they can, are ways of dealing with the stress brought about by the pandemic. By doing so, one can develop a sense of reward as well as spread positivity.
Zonta Club of Cebu II president, Petite Garcia giving her motivational message to the young members of the Z and the Golden Z clubs chartered by the club
Past President of Zonta Club of Cebu II, Dr. Vivien Seno gave her orientation about the goals and objectives of Zonta International as well as that of its youth chartered clubs, the Z and Golden Z Club
Ms. Sachi Lozano, an 18-year old advocate, also joined the webinar to introduce the Adversity Archive. The Adversity Archive is an online publication and a youth organization.
It focuses on stories of adversity of Filipinos that aims to bridge the marginalized with those who have the desire to learn about them and have the ability to help.
Based on the reaction papers of written by Childlink students, students admit that the pandemic has affected them. The webinar helped them realize that they have much to thank for in their lives. Students also recognize that there are things that they can do to minimize the stress and anxiety brought about by the pandemic.
Attendees of the Caring for your Well being webinar were attended by the Z Club of Cebu II, the youth members of the Z and the Golden Z Club of Area 3, and special guests. There were over 200 attendees during the event
The attendees of the event were actively engaged in the discussion during the Question and Answer portion of the webinar
Another webinar was held on October 23, 2021, Saturday in observance of the United Nations Day. The webinar, organized by Zonta Club of Cebu II in collaboration with the Z Club of Childlink High School Cebu, featured the topic on Child Marriage entitled “No Time to Lose: End Child Marriage Now.”
The UN Day activity featured We Are Grils, Not Brides Video while chosen members of the Childlink Z Club presented three stories of different child brides in different parts of the world.
District Governor, Chavali Pamela Osathanugrah based in Thailand gave her closing remarks for the October 23 United Nations Day observance. Her message gave an affirmation of the efforts that the Zonta Club of Cebu II and the Z Club of Childlink in supporting Zonta Internationalโs efforts to End Child Marriage
Chairperson for District 17 United Nations Committee and Past District Governor Georgitta Puyat gave her speech on the support that Zonta International does for the UN. Zonta brings womenโs concerns to the UN, suggests solutions, draws public attention to issues and encourages it members to participate at the local level
It also featured a lyric video on Ending Child Marriage that was made by the Grade 9 Z Club of Childlink members.
According to a post on the Philippine Commission on Women website, 15 percent of Filipino girls are married before their 18th birthday and two percent are married before the age of 15.
The UNICEF also reported that the Philippines has the 12th highest absolute number of child brides in the world at 726,000.
Ms. Tio explained that Childlink has been promoting awareness among their students on societal issues. โThis is one of the highlights in our curriculum,โ she added.
On the campaign against child marriages, Linkers help by disseminating information on child marriages. High School students made a lot of infographics to describe what child marriage is. This advocacy on Ending Child Marriage was launched by the Z Club of Childlink in October 2020.
Anton Miguel Rentuza, President of the Z Club of Childlink welcomed all participants in both events held last October 16 and 23
The October 16 and October 23 events attended by the Z Club of Childlink was being emceed by Z Club of Childlink member, Russelle Sampang
These are being shared by the Linkers to their friends and acquaintances as their way of helping in the campaign.
Meanwhile, Childlink will have various activities during the month of November in celebration of the National Childrenโs Month.
