It’s been 3 o’clock in the morning but I’m still wide awake, Tears are falling apart, and I think I’m about to break. This pandemic had caused trouble in my life and existence, I can’t easily deal with problems, together with the isolation and distance. Wondering all day and night on how I can be someone worthy, Questioning myself, “will I continue my journey”? Stress has been my breakfast and anxiety for dinner, I may look good on the outside but try to dig deeper. Almost everyone was struggling and coping up each day, Trying to be productive, trying to survive and stay. This pandemic may be a way for us to be stronger for the future, I hope we are into something good, something to nurture. Hope, is one of the keys for me and you to keep going, A hope that everything will be okay and just keep on dreaming. This is not a battle of one person versus the problem, You have God, me, your family, and friends, good things will blossom. Source: Lee, S. A. (2020). Coronavirus Anxiety Scale: A brief mental health screener for COVID-19 related anxiety. Death Studies, 44(7), 393–401. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2020.1748481

Nagising ako sa sikat ng araw na sinabayan pa ng sakit, Ang sakit na mararamdaman mo na para bang sa’yong katawan ay naka-ukit. Biglaan kang naiiyak na para bang wala nang bukas, Ngunit ang dinadala kong ito ang alam kong magbibigay ng lakas. Isang minutong kasiyahan ay mapapalitan ng isang oras na lungkot, Na tila ba ako’y pagod na pagod at punong-puno ng takot. Na habang tumatagal lalo akong nababalisa, Kailan ba matatapos ang nararamdamang takot at pangamba? Minsan ay normal naman ang lahat at tila maayos ang pakiramdam, Ngunit bigla na lang akong susuko at ninanais nang magpaalam. Natutulala, naga-alala, ni hindi ko na magawa ang mga nais ko sa buhay, Ngunit kapag nasisilayan ko sila, muling nagkakaroon ng kulay. Isa na akong ina na nagigising sa iyak ng isang anghel na sakin ay pinadala, Isang nanay na lumalaban sa mga gumugulo sa aking isipan at diwa. Isang magulang na kailangang bumangon para sa kanila, Isang ina na mas pipiliin ang pamilya kaysa sa sakit na nadarama. Source: Karl, D. J. (2011). Perinatal Depression. Nursing for Women’s Health, 15(4), 277. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-486x.2011.01647.x

It is fairly common for college students to listen to the music of their choice while studying. Another factor is that, due to the pandemic, online classes are being held, where any digital information is easily accessible by anyone. With that, students have quick access to YouTube, Spotify, and plenty of other music streaming platforms while studying. If you're feeling a bit rusty, here are some things you should know so you'll even be productive while listening to music. Music helps with improving your mood and endurance According to Davis (2015), several benefits of music while studying include improvement in memorization where music helps with creating positive moods that obliquely boost memory formation, and it may also improve endurance for long study sessions. If you think that the music you're listening to isn't effective along with your studying, maybe you must consider avoiding music that's too loud or has distracting lyrics. Music may also relieve symptoms of depression and reduce stress. When you’re feeling down, music can pick you up, which is very similar to an exercise (Lerman, 2020). Adverse effects of attentiveness to music while studying Despite the advantages of paying attention to music while studying, there are drawbacks that may be encountered. One of which is that when a student is attentive to music while doing written work, they have a tendency to be easily distracted with the lyrics making it hard for them to focus on writing, and successively, they become inefficient with their tasks (Davis, 2015). A study by Briggs (2014), stated that participants were tested under several listening conditions: some participants had to be attentive to the song of their liking, some had to listen to songs they dislike, some had to listen to a voice repeating the word, “three”, and some had to bear a voice that randomly iterates single-digit numbers. The study has found that being attentive to music whether or not they like the song, could impair cognitive abilities when studying and that they call this phenomenon the “Irrelevant Sound Effect” or the ISE. Conclusion If you’re a hard-working student who wants to concentrate on improving your academic performance, maybe being attentive to music may well be effective for you. Although, given the said setbacks of being attentive to music while studying, it'll still come all the way down to your own study style, and preference. References: Briggs, S. (2014, October 19). Why You Shouldn't Listen to Music While Studying. https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/other/why-you-shouldnt-listen-to-music-while-studying/. Davis, N. (2015, July 21). Is it Good to Listen to Music While Studying? https://study.com/academy/popular/is-it-good-to-listen-to-music-while-studying.html. Lerman, M. (2020, December 31). 9 Health Benefits of Music. https://www.northshore.org/healthy-you/9-health-benefits-of-music/.

Filipinos are known to be extremely devoted to religion and their spiritual beliefs. And because of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and thanks to technological advances, Filipinos are given an option to attend a Sunday mass through online means. Many other people disagree with the existence of God, but what is so interesting about those who are firm believers of God? And do religiously devoted people have better mental stability than those who do not? Religious people and their Mental Health Stability Several studies have been conducted to know whether or not religion helps with mental health stability. A number of studies have found that religiously devoted people show fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety and that religion has become their way of coping with daily life stress (Rettner, 2015). According to the study of Newberg (2010), several meditation practices that include repetitive phrases such as prayers, create brain activities that are involved in emotional responses such as the frontal lobe, and the prefrontal cortex, and thus help with their mental health stability. Non-religiously devout people and their Mental Health Stability Religion can be a means of releasing stress for some people, but there are also others who do not believe in the existence of God and extremely hate being part of a ritual or religious practice. According to Louca (2021), those who have a perception of God as Punitive, punishing, abandoning us, threatening, or unreliable, show a higher tendency of developing depression, and poorer quality of life. On the other hand, those who have the opposite perception of God, show positive outcomes such as better mental health stability, and better quality of life. Conclusion It is intriguing to know that those who are religiously devout people have better Mental Health Stability than those who do not practice religion at all. Although the topic is debatable, it is better to consider that attending Sunday masses, or believing in God, comes down to personal willingness and preference. References: Rettner, R. (2015, September 24). God Help Us? How Religion is Good (And Bad) For Mental Health. https://www.livescience.com/52197-religion-mental-health-brain.html. Louca, E. (2021, January 6). Effects of Religion and Faith on Mental Health. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346539950_Effects_of_Religion_and_Faith_on_Mental_Health.

Over the past year, people have struggled with practical matters like work, academics, financial stability, what to eat, filling in the hierarchy of needs, and the difficulty with mental health. As if we weren’t already struggling pre-pandemic, but the surge of COVID-19 has heightened everything else right in front of our faces. There was an increase in the number of those suffering from depression, great anxieties from the overload of responsibilities, and the excessive exposure to social media during this time has not been helping. Because of this, many have also resulted in committing themselves to a suicide death. There had already been numerous studies circling about the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives. Many organizations and companies would set up webinars upon webinars tackling and educating the masses on areas of mental health and putting it into a discussion, toto avoid the tendency of it being again overlooked and stigmatized. But, regardless of how much effort we put into these programs, it is not enough to protect everyone’s mental health and provide access to care. Globally, the rates of suicide this 2020-2021 have an average of 8.22%. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), for every 16 persons in a 100,000 population in at least 40 seconds, someone is committing suicide worldwide. Still, because of the consequences of this pandemic, it has developed into 20 seconds shorter and faster. Suicide is a Social Issue We need to understand the how’s and why’s of suicide, not only for us to support others but also to help ourselves. Yes, it is a social issue because of its relations with one’s social conditions. As we know it, it is the process of an intentional end of one’s own life. Before, it was either glorified or condemned, just as how the Christian church declares it as unacceptable. Still, today the occurrence of suicide is understood as a disorder from interferences with psychological and environmental factors. It is commonly seen as a form of deviance, avoidance, or secrecy; then again, it was a cultural taboo for the longest time, but times have changed, and there is indeed a need for awareness and education. Suicide has different causes and characteristics, but there are warning signs we can be on watch of: Talking of suicide - thoughts of being better off dead or talks self-harm and dying Seeking for lethal means - looking for pills, knives, or any item to use for death Focusing on death - it is unusual to see creations or stories about death Show no hope for the future - feeling trapped as if there’s no possibility for a better life Isolation - when there is an increase in avoidance of contact with friends and family Self-hate - expressing guilt, worthlessness, and shame Destructive behavior - reckless driving, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. Saying goodbye - unusual and random conversations as if it’s their last Writing their will - making arrangements for those whom they plan on leaving behind Aside from knowing what the warning signs are, we must also understand what motivates individuals to commit suicide. Still, immediately it is from life stressors, may it be from peers, difficulty in school, work, problems at home, or maybe even because of substance abuse. Where do we go from here? Regardless of who you are, you are essential to everyone’s life, and being in the know helps many. So, what can you do to help? The most important action one can do is talk about it, asking those you worry about, especially if you see signs on them. But of course, we should also be aware of our approach and how we talk to them about it. But, most times, your presence to some is already enough. Show your emotional support for them, provide solutions when asked for, but if you don’t know it yourself, it is best to keep quiet, be honest and simply offer a company. Roles we can take in handling thoughts of suicide: Like family, we should show support by educating ourselves, offering the option to seek counseling, and never disregarding or belittling their struggles, and taking thoughts and threats seriously. As a friend, it would be best to offer company, invite them into conversation into their comfort, then gradually speak of the situation and try to resolve it with them, but not to take anything by force, instead when in difficulty, seek help from adults and professionals. This is also beyond your control as a friend, and when there is a show of signs, inform the family. As strangers, it pays to know and understand these unfortunate occurrences. Still, the best action would be to stay kind with individuals regardless of how we see them because everyone is struggling, and maybe in your little way, unknowingly, you are already helping so many. Do not be afraid of speaking about this hard-to-swallow pill. But, keep in mind to be sensitive. Let people know that you are willing to listen, learn and be present for them in their hardships. If you are having trouble just as so, let this knowledge be of help to you, and remember to keep in mind that you are not alone and seeking help is never a sign of weakness, but rather bravery. Here is a list of suicide hotlines in the Philippines: DOH Mental Health Psychosocial Support Team Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 12:00 midnight 09016 343 7016 0933 644 3488 Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center - Center for Behavioral Sciences Teleconsultation 0929 287 3688 (032) 253-4423 Tawag Paglaum Centro Bisaya 24/7 call-based hotline for suicide prevention and emotional crisis intervention in Cebu City 0939 936 5433 0927 654 1629 Hopeline, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation A depression and suicide prevention hotline to help people who are secretly suffering. (02) 804-4673 0917 558 4673 0927 654 1629 Globe and TM subscribers may call toll-free (FREE CALL) at 2919 National Mental Health Crisis Hotline 24/7 Crisis Hotline to assist people with mental health disorder ranging from counseling to psychiatric emergencies and suicide prevention. 0917 989 8728 (02) 8531-9001 In Touch Community Services 24/7 free and confidential counseling support. (02) 8893-7603 0917 800 1123 0922 893 8944 References: List of Suicide Prevention Hotlines in the Philippines. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.webbline.com/kb/suicide-prevention-hotlines/#comments Sayo, G.J. (2019, November). SUICIDE [PowerPoint slides]. Department of Psychology, National University. Suicide Rate by Country 2021. (2021). Retrieved from https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/suicide-rate-by-country Suicide Statistics. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.befrienders.org/suicide-statistics

What we do with our brain is powerful because it is more capable than we think. Approximately our body has 86 billion neurons that can remarkably adapt, learn, and heal, and rewire themselves. This is because of the brain’s neuroplasticity. As defined by Voss et al. (2017), neuroplasticity refers to “the brain’s ability to modify, change, and adapt both structure and function throughout life and in response to experience.” Neuroplasticity occurs throughout life regardless of age. Given the premise that the brain can rewire itself, it is no secret that it can also rewire the brain to optimize one’s mental health. In this article, here are three practical tips to rewire our brains for better mental well-being: 1. Get yourself moving with exercise! In the study of Zhao et al. (2020), it is found out that exercise (e.g., resistance exercise, aerobic exercise, and mind‐body exercise) can help reduce depressive symptoms. Through their research, they discovered that exercise can increase the neuroplasticity of the hippocampus and the volume of white matter; in effect, it can enable the brain to create adaptive behavioral changes in mental health. In other research, exercise is proved to be useful in clinical interventions in mental health disorders such as the slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (Lin et al., 2018) and substance abuse disorders (Zschucke et al., 2012). As we live in a fast-paced environment, starting small in finding time for an exercise routine can still bring incremental changes in our mental health in the long term. Take your own pace and find the exercise routine that works in your terms, because surely this tip can truly uplift your mood! 2. Get mindful through meditation Incorporating mindfulness meditation in your schedule poses various benefits in learning, memory, and emotional regulation. In the study of Hölzel et al. (2011), the participants were asked to perform guide meditations at home for eight weeks. Based on their findings, the participants were observed to have an improved gray matter density in the brain, which is responsible for emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, learning, and memory processing. In a jam-packed week, it is important to start the day right with healthy mental well-being. Through the practice of mindfulness meditation, you can gain clarity, tranquility, and self-control to face life’s daily challenges in a more proactive way. 3. Grow your brain through the growth mindset Our mindset is a powerful influence on how we view the world. Hence, we must rewire our brain that works for our mental health. Growth mindset has been one of the known psychological concepts, which was coined by Dr. Carol Dweck. People with a growth mindset think that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are only the beginning.” This perspective fosters a passion for learning as well as the perseverance required for exceptional success (Dweck et al., 2007). In line with mental health, healing and thriving mentally start with the realization that you can overcome your adversities. Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are intertwined. Thus, by starting with the mind, we can shift how we feel and behave. Indeed, metanoia in mindset does not happen overnight, but with perseverance, you can have a growth mindset for better mental health. Rewiring the adaptive brain sheds light on our ability as individuals to reinvent ourselves and take charge of our mental health. By getting yourself moving, getting mindful, and growing your mindset, you can better navigate life and your mental well-being. Prepared by: Nathaniel M. Sabater - Clinical Intern References: Blackwell, L. S., Trzesniewski, K. H., & Dweck, C. S. (2007). Implicit theories of intelligence predict achievement across an adolescent transition: A longitudinal study and an intervention. Child Development, 78(1), 246-263. Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36–43. doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.08.006 Kandola, A., Hendrikse, J., Lucassen, P. J., & Yücel, M. (2016). Aerobic exercise as a tool to improve hippocampal plasticity and function in humans: practical implications for mental health treatment. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10, 373. Lin, T. W., Tsai, S. F., & Kuo, Y. M. (2018). Physical Exercise Enhances Neuroplasticity and Delays Alzheimer's Disease. Brain plasticity (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 4(1), 95–110. https://doi.org/10.3233/BPL-180073 Voss, P., Thomas, M. E., Cisneros-Franco, J. M., & de Villers-Sidani, É. (2017). Dynamic brains and the changing rules of neuroplasticity: implications for learning and recovery. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 1657. Zhao, J. L., Jiang, W. T., Wang, X., Cai, Z. D., Liu, Z. H., & Liu, G. R. (2020). Exercise, brain plasticity, and depression. CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 26(9), 885–895. https://doi.org/10.1111/cns.13385 Zschucke, E., Heinz, A., & Ströhle, A. (2012). Exercise and physical activity in the therapy of substance use disorders. The Scientific World Journal, 2012.

Do you ever feel there is always so much to do with little time? You are not alone. We live in a fast-paced world that promotes the so-called hustle culture. We glamorize working all the time, wherein productivity is defined by being ‘busy’, a jam-packed schedule, and back-to-back meetings. We are conditioned that we should always be working to be described as successful. Unfortunately, our mental health can be negatively affected as a result. On the other hand, rest such as taking breaks can be perceived as some form of idleness. However, in reality, taking breaks is considered significant to optimize one’s mental health. Taking breaks is for the strong because of its psychological benefits. Here are the benefits that you might consider rethinking in your next break time. 1. Taking breaks improves memory In the study of Immordino-Yang et al. (2012), they found out that the brain is not idle during breaks, because it is working hard to process memories, emotions, and experiences. Furthermore, their findings imply that when taking a break, the brain's default mode is triggered, and the brain becomes active in internally focused psychosocial mental processing. As we live in such a fast-paced environment, taking breaks can allow us to better comprehend what is going on around us and have a better understanding of the outside world. Allowing our brains to reboot will, more significantly, let us obtain a fresh perspective in processing our emotions. Our mental health improves when we tackle life's problems more proactively and adaptively with improved emotion processing. 2. Taking breaks enables better decision-making Breaks might help you avoid decision fatigue. Danzinger et al. (2011) found that after a break, positive rulings recover to around 65 percent in the case of Israeli judges. As a result, the next time you're having trouble making a decision, taking a break might help. Regardless of your profession, decision fatigue is apparent. As a result, making decisions impulsively due to exhaustion can have severe consequences that affect our mental health. Such decisions, whether minor or major, might cause us to feel anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed. Thus, taking breaks allows us to rethink our decisions, actions, and behaviors in order to put ourselves in a better position. In hindsight, we all face decisions in our daily lives. We may make better judgments and live a more purposeful and happier life by taking breaks. 3. Taking breaks helps you concentrate better Have you ever wondered why great ideas come to you in the shower? This is attributable to the fact that the brain is designed to focus when it is recharged, which occurs when you take a break. You can focus and gain clarity not only in your work but also in your headspace by taking breaks. Ariga and Lleras (2011) discovered that taking occasional breaks helps people concentrate better and stay focused for longer periods of time. Hence, the better your concentration, the higher your job performance will be. The more effectively the deliverables are optimized, the better your work-life balance will be. Your mental health will improve if you can better balance your job and personal lives. Furthermore, taking breaks provides a variety of psychological benefits that enhance not just one's mental health but also one's productivity. So, the next time you feel bad about taking a break, think about how it improves your memory, concentration, and decision-making. Taking breaks is for the strong, because of how impactful it is to mental health. Together, let us normalize taking breaks for our mental health. References: Ariga, A., & Lleras, A. (2011). Brief and rare mental "breaks" keep you focused: deactivation and reactivation of task goals preempt vigilance decrements. Cognition, 118(3), 439–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2010.12.007 Danziger, S., Levav, J., & Avnaim-Pesso, L. (2011). Extraneous factors in judicial decisions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(17), 6889-6892. Immordino-Yang, M. H., Christodoulou, J. A., & Singh, V. (2012). Rest Is Not Idleness. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7(4), 352–364. doi:10.1177/1745691612447308

For the past couple of years, studies regarding social media mostly involved the top 1 most used social media worldwide which is Facebook which has 2.853 billion monthly active users as of July 2021. Following Facebook as the most used social platform is YouTube, followed by WhatsApp, and Instagram with 1.38 billion potential advertising reach, which is now being dubbed as “the worst social media for your mental health”. According to statistics, Instagram users who are more likely to open the application multiple times per day are users who are between the ages of 18 to 24 years old. Instagram is an image-based social networking site and its popularity is related to taking attractive pictures, selfies, and portraits making users have a tendency to display their identities in a physical or body-centric manner. This is dangerous because previous research has shown correlations between media exposure and an increased level of body image-related concerns. Social media applications such as Instagram allow for immediate access to a large number of idealized body images wherein women appear without blemish and slim with full breasts, while men appear to have enhanced muscular builds. A major factor in the connection between social media usage and body image concerns is the comparison of appearance whereas viewers exposed to idealized body images judge themselves to be less attractive than the people they see on the social networking site. This phenomenon can be explained by Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison theory which says that humans have a drive to measure themselves, their opinions, and their status by comparing themselves to other individuals. Media outlets share a large number of unrealistic images of idealized bodies which might trigger upward social comparison in many people thus resulting in an increase in body image dissatisfaction. This is where manipulating pictures come into play. To achieve people’s goal to present the best version of themselves, they filter their social media feeds and only post images of them where they look most attractive. Most of the time, this goal is achieved by manipulating or editing those images. The prevalence of photo editing on social media is not well- documented and information about this is not readily found in the public domain. However, in a 2014 survey by The Renfrew Center Foundation, it was revealed that more than half of the 2000 adults who participated in the survey have admitted to editing their images on social media in some way such as removing blemishes, changing skin tone, and making themselves appear thinner. According to studies, viewing these attractive images has the potential to negatively influence the body image of viewers. In addition to these negative outcomes, according to a study from Harvard, an Instagram-like has the potential to be a positive social stimulus that triggers dopamine influx, making us crave for more. Every like turns out to be a signal of approval, while for others, it becomes an avenue that temporarily boosts feelings of negative body image. In research by Tiggeman et al. (2018), it showed that viewing a high number of likes led to lower dissatisfaction with one’s own face while another study from the University of California also found out that the number of likes of an Instagram post alters the appeal of that photo to its viewers. When a viewer sees a highly rated image, one’s brain instinctively associates it with being better than a picture with a smaller number of likes, no matter the content. Their brain can’t help but prefer images that have more likes than images with fewer likes. This obsession of Instagram users with likes became a real problem because users started posting images that they believe would generate the most likes instead of posting personal images that actually mean something to them. To resolve this issue, Instagram showed an increased effort to prioritize mental health which is why last July 2019, Instagram started to test-run an update in Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand which will hide the like count, helping users to prevent like comparisons and by May 2021, this option to hide the number of likes finally became available in the Philippines. In one interview, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri explained that the decision to remove the ability to see the likes count was about the young people. He said that the idea is to try and lower the pressure on Instagram, making the platform less of a competition to make its users focus more on connecting with other people and sharing things that inspire them and that are special to them. The bottom line, Instagram is not evil. In fact, it is a platform made to help people to connect better, create communities of causes to support, spread news and other information faster, gather inspiration from other creators, and spark creativity in viewers. However, we must be vigilant of its effects on us and our psychology and learn how to process the information that we see.

Bringing light into the present struggles of the LGBTQ+ Community “To be honest with you, I love my family, yeah, but you know I feel this massive distance because of all the lies and all the hiding. It’s like I’m there but a million miles away…” (Jaspal, 2021, p.1439) Living in a world and society unforgiving of people just being themselves, the LGBTQ+ community has relied on one another to love each other and share physical spaces wherein individual expression of identity is celebrated. But, during this COVID-19 Lockdown, everything just came to a stop. Now, everyone’s deprived of the physical intimacies they yearn for: the talks, the hugs, the parties, the comfort. This has been especially hard for LGBTQ+ individuals. Suddenly, they’re isolated from overwhelmingly supportive friends, and also safe environments in which they could genuinely be themselves. In a preliminary survey conducted by Houghton and Tasker (2020; 2021), LGBTQ+ participants felt emotionally affected by the lockdown. Whether it may be due to their unaccepting families, hostile households and community, anxiety about relationships and identity, or loss of livelihood, the LGBTQ+ community faces disproportionate effects because of the COVID-19 lockdown. Gaining access to psychological services and support online is a tiny silver lining of this mess we’re in. Many clinics in different parts of the world have offered their services through online means in hopes of reaching more people. There are also support groups for various types of people. Of course, let’s not forget the loving company of our own friends whom we can ask for support from. However, are all of these enough to combat the stressors they face at home? Belonging to a hostile or supportive household is a huge factor in determining the overall mental health of LGBTQ+ individuals. Even though the media shows the progress and representation of LGBTQ+, studies show accounts of multiple participants belonging to families that are unsupportive of their sexual identities. Even those who have ‘come out to their parents have struggled to address it after the event, and they continue to face adverse psychological effects because of it. Also, there have been massive complaints about the expression of their identity. Transgender individuals continue to face verbal and physical assaults from family members during this lockdown. In an attempt to conform and avoid family tension, LGBTQ+ individuals conceal much of their identity and thus face psychological consequences for continuing to do so. Mind you, some countries have lockdowns longer than 8 months! Concealing one’s identity for that long is not an easy feat. Trying to get through this lockdown collectively is a massive hurdle for the community. Studies have proven the risk of depressive and anxiety symptoms in LGBTQ+ individuals, and their mental health and well-being amidst the lockdown is also a concerning issue. This might be an issue that will not pique your concern, but in these trying times, every help matters. Question: What can we do to help? Realize that every other individual in this world is just as much of a human as you are. And as humans, we all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. If you’re a sibling of an LGBTQ+ individual, be present for them. If you’re a friend, be there for them. If you’re a parent, be loving for them. Because ultimately, love is the answer. References: Houghton, M., & Tasker, F. (2020). LGBTQ* UK COVID-19 Lockdown 18-35 Experiences First Survey (4 June to 6 August 2020) Preliminary Results. Working Paper. Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck. Birkbeck University of London. Released 18. ix. 20. Houghton, M., & Tasker, F. (2021). LGBTQ* UK COVID-19 experiences: Preliminary results of the second survey. Released 20.iii.2021. Working Paper. Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London. Jaspal, R. (2021). Identity threat and coping among British South Asian gay men during the COVID-19 lockdown. Sexuality & Culture 25, 1428–1446 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09817-w Mohanty, S. S., & Geeta, M. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on LGBTQ Immigrants (with special focus on Indo-American LGBTQ community). Priyadarshini, S., & Swain, S. C. (2021). Queers in quarantines: Impact of lockdown and social distancing on psychology of Transgender. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series B, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40031-021-00586-6

At sa panahon ng pandemya ay may dumating na unos, Malakas na hangin kasabay ng malakas na ulan ang bumuhos. Dobleng pangamba at takot ang nadarama, Kailan nga ba matatapos ang tila ba’y walang hanggang parusa? Takot at pangamba mula sa kaaway na hindi nakikita ng mata, Takot at pangamba rin mula sa ulang sa bahay natin ay unti-unting sumisira. Mabubuhay na lang ba tayo sa dobleng pasakit na ating nararanasan? O pipilitin nating magkaroon ng positibong kaisipan? Pilipino tayo. Kung may dobleng pababa ay dalawang beses din tayong aahon, Kung tayo’y madadapa, kapit-kamay tayong babangon. Maraming mawawala, pero maraming oras para magsimula, Sa kaisipan nating matatag, bukas, mayroon na ulit pag-asa. Kaya naman bumangon ka at simulan ang araw na may ngiti, Pangalagaan ang kaisipan, mga mahal sa buhay, at sarili. Hindi patas ang mundo pero hindi ka mag-isa dito, May kasama ka sa hamon, babangon tayo. References: Cueto, L. J., & Agaton, C. B. (2021, April 29). Pandemic and Typhoon: Positive impacts of a double disaster on mental health of female students in the Philippines. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/11/5/64. Rocha, I. C. N., Costa, A. C. dos S., Islam, Z., Jain, S., Goyal, S., Mohanan, P., Essar, M. Y., & Ahmad, S. (2021, May 3). Typhoons during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines: Impact of a DOUBLE crises on mental Health: Disaster medicine and public Health Preparedness. Cambridge Core. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/disaster-medicine-and-public-health-preparedness/article/abs/typhoons-during-covid19-pandemic-in-the-philippines-impact-of-double-crises-on-mental-health/B4D10A8B67337A5ECA12CD22FCA4B621#access-block.

Have you ever felt guilty for spending too much on online shopping apps such as Lazada and Shopee? Did you ever wonder why you got so addicted to online shopping in the first place? I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but the online shopping apps you use have a fundamental and beginner-friendly user interface! This has been proven to increase the shopping behavior of many and invite others to start online shopping. But, there is another factor. Funnily enough, your personality plays a part in your online shopping behavior. Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of the studies I’m about to share, let me brief you on the personality model most of these studies used. The Big Five Model of Personality, also known as O.C.E.A.N., is used by many psychologists and clinicians alike to understand an individual’s personality. You can have a high or low degree in any of the five traits presented. Openness to experience demonstrates an inquisitive individual with the inclination to intellectual and stimulating challenges. Conscientiousness refers to those who are meticulous, organized and having the ability or propensity of foresight. Extraversion. Ah, the extraverts. You all know them as socially outgoing individuals who immerse themselves in personal interactions and social activities. Agreeableness shows those who are understanding of other people and the capability to be caring and empathetic. Lastly, Neuroticism can be seen in people with negative affect, emotional instability, and irritability in most situations. If you want to know more about your personality, there are free Five-Factor Model tests online you can try! As it turns out, each of those five personality traits is prone to online shopping (no one can escape, haha!) - they just differ in their motivations. People who score high in Openness to Experience do online shopping to venture out and explore possibilities. Those high in Conscientiousness, on the other hand, do online shopping for the convenience of it. Who wouldn’t want to shop and stay safe at the same time? I wouldn’t pass on that! Extraverted people enjoy online shopping because of the social interaction they receive, looking at comments of others, or sharing the experiences with their friends. An individual high in Agreeableness shops online for the pleasure of doing so and appreciating how useful and practical it is. When individuals score high in Neuroticism, their motivation for online shopping is to avoid socializing and avoid the pressures of physical shopping. To a degree, I think we can relate to that - it’s challenging to shop freely when a sales clerk keeps looking at you or when you have friends or family waiting for you to finish. Sadly, however, only a few studies have measured the impact of online shopping on one’s mental health and overall well-being. According to Salie and colleagues (2021), online shopping provided comfort for them, especially in a comparable situation to being in an online pandemic. Also, Zheng and Ma (2021) found an increase in happiness and life satisfaction of those who do online shopping. But remember! We should also be careful of indulging too much in online shopping. Zamboni and colleagues (2021) had participants who lost control of online shopping and thus wasted so much time; they experienced more emotional stress because of that. And it’s just not time we’re losing, but also money as we do in anything financial-related, shop online in moderation. Doing so will let you enjoy the benefits of online shopping while also maintaining your financial wealth and mental health balance. Shop responsibly! References: Huang, J.-H., & Yang, Y.-C. (2010). The relationship between personality traits and online shopping motivations. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 38(5), 673–679. doi:10.2224/sbp.2010.38.5.673 Jen-Hung, H., & Yi-Chun, Y. (2010). Gender differences in adolescents’ online shopping motivations. African Journal of Business Management, 4(6), 849-857. Mosteller, J., Donthu, N., & Eroglu, S. (2014). The fluent online shopping experience. Journal of Business Research, 67(11), 2486-2493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.03.009 Salie, M., Snow, M., De Wet, H., Marquard, K., & Swartz, L. (2021). ‘Add to cart’: Prison-based community service for psychologists in South Africa and the comfort of online shopping. Psychodynamic Practice, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/14753634.2021.1939112 Tsao, W. C., & Chang, H. R. (2010). Exploring the impact of personality traits on online shopping behavior. African Journal of Business Management, 4(9), 1800-1812. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJBM.9000280 Turkyilmaz, C. A., Erdem, S., & Uslu, A. (2015). The effects of personality traits and website quality on online impulse buying. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 175, 98–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.1179 Wang, S., Wang, S., & Wang, M. T. (2006). Shopping online or not? Cognition and personality matters. Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research, 1(3), 68-80. https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer1030023 Zamboni, L., Carli, S., Belleri, M., Giordano, R., Saretta, G., & Lugoboni, F. (2021). COVID-19 lockdown: Impact on online gambling, online shopping, web navigation and online pornography. Journal of Public Health Research, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.1759 Zheng, H., & Ma, W. (2021). Click it and buy happiness: Does online shopping improve subjective well-being of rural residents in China? Applied Economics, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2021.1897513

As defined by the U.S. Government, emotional abuse is “the pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.” According to the Centers for Disease, Control, and Prevention (CDC), over 702,000 reported cases of children experiencing abuse of any form and/or neglect. Meanwhile, there are over 80% of Filipino children suffer different forms of violence. May it be from their household, school, community, or online. In addition to this, 7 out of 10 children are not aware of the vocal services meant to help them. This results in an increased number of unreported cases (Healthline, 2018). Based on the recorded cases, most cases are caused by financial difficulties, single parenthood, separated parents, or exposure to substance abuse. In these cases, the child does not cause the abuse. It will always be the perpetrator’s mistake. As the child suffers from emotional and psychological abuse, they have the possibility of: Being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Isolation from family. Being developmentally and/or physically disabled. Exposure to alcohol and/or drugs. Poor parenting skills due to lack of knowledge and understanding regarding child development. Creating conflicts in the family. Losing control of the child’s usage of moods. Ignoring child care responsibilities. Effects of being emotionally and psychologically abused can cause: ATTACHMENT ISSUES. Develops insecure attachment and can affect adulthood. This leads to a poor foundation of relationships due to a lack of knowledge in resolving conflicts. BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS. Develop delinquency and sexually aggressive behavior in young adults. REPEATING CYCLE OF ABUSE. It can affect future children since it has already been an instinct for the victim to pass the abuse. SUICIDE AND MENTAL ILLNESS. Victims are possible to be diagnosed with a mental illness/disorder and are likely to attempt suicide. To detect if the child is abused. Observe and take notes of these signs: Fearful to adults. Confirming that they hate their parents. Negative affirmations towards themselves. Are emotionally immature. Sudden changes in speech (stuttering) and/or behavior. So as to detect an abuser, here are the signs: Disregards the child. Talks bad about their child. Not affectionate. Does not care about the child’s medical needs. At present, it is a must for everyone to be aware of their environment. Because it is undeniable that we run into children that are experiencing abuse in our daily lives, we need to be well informed when it comes to this topic; therefore, gradually, the number of abused children will decrease until such time. In resolving these cases, it would be possible to have enough reasons to believe that there is the presence of abuse and seek help from professionals such as psychological and law-based. Sources: https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-is-emotional-child-abuse-4157502 https://www.healthline.com/health/child-neglect-and-psychological-abuse?fbclid=IwAR39UWWNPJHhKWkG3Sr5KYFxmUNhEY4Z61v4S08sSM6eaxpt30DPFgnp-j4 https://openstat.psa.gov.ph/Metadata/3E3D33A0?fbclid=IwAR3rtYPJ3oQxQdOcu1e_maTXFJRKM6HsW01c37FAIRpDdg8ZNHmEiHZl7sE