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It has been two years since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world. People took the time to follow safety protocols, isolate, and adapt to the new normal setting, and today, it does not seem that the virus is going any time soon. Several months of lockdown passed by, and the challenges became overwhelming for the people to bear as cases of mental health illness began to increase due to the fact that the number of positive cases keeps fluctuating, making everything uncertain. International and local health organizations were alarmed by the rising cases of health problems including the rising toll of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, there are also numerous cases of suicide recorded from different countries and the problem of providing proper health care services also became the major challenge. Furthermore, people began to find ways how to minimize these problems using the available resources that are not affected by the pandemic. One of those resources is maximizing the use of technology through the use of smartphones and the latest gadgets. Health services went through a new form of transition from face-to-face to online sessions such as telehealth and the use of crisis hotlines. Another popular e-service that went a surge lately is the use of online mental health services through the form of a mobile application. With just one click away, everyone can access health services in the comfort of their home, without risking their safety against the transmission of COVID-19. What is a Mental Health App? Mental Health applications are tools that can be used through the means of mobile devices or smartphones. These apps focus on developing the mental health and well-being of the users who can access them through the App Market. There are different kinds of mental health apps and each of them may range in different areas related to stress management, relaxation, sleep, and wellness. Some applications offer therapeutic activities about self-help, self-confidence, and meditation delivered by a mental health professional or a life coach. Advantages of using Mental Health Apps Each mental health apps have potentials that may appease the public. Some benefits are the following: Accessibility – mental health apps are accessible and offer convenience since you can easily get them through your phone. This is a good option for people who have difficulties accessing some alternatives for health services during the lockdown. Convenience – one can access the app anywhere and anytime at your leisure. This is a great tool for people who are busy enough to check other matters that may consume their time. Engaging – mental health apps are fun to use as it gives not just valuable experience but also learnings about well-being and mental health. People can set their reminders and notifications to remind them to stay engaged with the features. Affordable – most mental health apps are available for FREE in the app market so people doesn’t have to break their wallet just to get access to the services. Other apps may have paid subscriptions but the features were proven safe and effective for their users. Top Mental Health Apps for 2021 Here are the 5 mental health apps according to the 8ListPH that can help soothe your well-being and mental health during the pandemic. Moodfit – is a mental health app designed to help the user to be in mental shape. It tracks the mood and activities which provide important insights and strategies to make the user feel better. Moodfit is available on iOS and Android. HealthNow – is a collaboration between New Good Feelings and Globe. The organization first launched a suicide hotline HOPELINE in 2012. Soon, they expand the partnership and enter the mobile app industry through HealthNow. HealthNow helps patients to easier consult with the doctor, deliver medicine, and schedule medical appointments without leaving their house. HOPELINE is still available within the app which provides easier access to the service. HealthNow is available on iOS and Android. Happify – is an app providing games and science-based activities to overcome stress and negative emotions. The games in the apps were made by psychology experts specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy. The app also caters to different kinds of happiness such as building confidence, achieving mindfulness, coping with stress, and overcoming negative thoughts. Happify is available on iOS and Android. Ten Percent Happier – the app provides guided meditations, talks, videos, and content that are made to help the users be more mindful, improve relationships, sleep better, and be happier for 10 percent. It is a good app for meditation and mindfulness. Ten Percent Happier is available on iOS and Android. Calm - this app is one of the most popular mental health apps with over 20 million downloads worldwide. The app helps its users to meditate, sleep, and relax by using soft music and providing programs to improve one’s condition throughout the day. The soothing feature and quality made the app win Apple’s App of the Year in 2017. Calm is available on iOS and Android. Mental Health Apps were designed to address mental health problems easier with convenience, whether users want to learn more about mental health, get in touch with a therapist, track habits and moods, or simply find a new activity to survive the day. However, users must take in mind that these apps are just supplements to improve their well-being and offer assistance, but not a substitution for face-to-face therapy sessions or in-person consultation with a mental health professional. Do not self-diagnose or self-medicate. Use these apps to improve the quality of our mobile screens and the quality of our life. References: - Santos, J. (2021). Mental Health Apps Philippines: 8 Apps to Manage Your Moods. 8List.Ph. https://www.8list.ph/mental-health-apps-philippines/ - The Best Mental Health Apps of 2021. (n.d.). Verywell Mind. Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/best-mental-health-apps-4692902

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our lives. Many of us are dealing with tough and challenging situations. Learning to deal with stress healthily will make you, your loved ones, and those around you more resilient. Make a mental health plan specific to your present stress level and requirements. Remember that your reaction and needs may change over the following months and years. Feel and show appreciation, compassion, and hope when it's possible. Please recognize that the vast majority of individuals, even yourself, seem to be doing the best they could with their knowledge. Having a decent enough approach is more crucial than having a perfect one. Set Media Consumption Boundaries: Information constantly changes, and news channels provide constant coverage. Consider the level of media consumption that is appropriate for you. Rather than becoming overwhelmed, strive to be well-informed and current. Uncertainty might bring up negative thoughts and sentiments about change and not understanding how to manage them. Take a couple of weeks to reflect on what you're doing and what you have planned. Get adequate mental rest. Just as you need enough sleep to replenish your body, you need mental rest to recharge your mind. Give your mind a vacation from work and other worries by taking up a new hobby or doing something creative. It's normal for our minds to wander to all the routines we might be unable to complete at this time due to the turmoil. Attempt to concentrate on the activities that we can still do or that we may have more opportunities to do if we spend quality time. Continue to learn and study, read a book, listen to a podcast, or try out a new hobby or talent, to name a few suggestions, for example: cook a new recipe, play an instrument, learn a language, learn how to sew, gardening.

As we get older, we tend to sleep for shorter hours, which is harmful to our health since it affects us physically and mentally. Cherry (2020) stated in one of her articles that sleep deprivation is being linked to several poor health outcomes, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression. This only shows how sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on our mental health. Poor sleep is one example of this, which can then lead to stress. Considering sleep and health are correlated, we should make it a priority to get enough sleep every night. We should not be affected by the saying "sleep is for the weak," as it is false. With enough sleep, our brain can function properly – we can concentrate, think, and process things (Fry, 2020). Fry (2020) also included 7 recommendations for people who have trouble sleeping in her article. These are some of them: set a realistic bedtime for yourself and commit to it every night, have a comfortable sleeping environment, consider setting up a “screen ban” on your electronic gadgets while you’re in your bedroom; and, avoid drinking anything with caffeine few hours before your bedtime. It is recommended that you consult with a mental health professional if you think your sleep problems are related to a mental health condition (Cherry, 2020). Also, get at least 7 hours of sleep every night if feasible, as this can improve not just your mental health but also your overall well-being. References: Cherry, K. (2020). How does sleep affect mental health? Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-sleep-affects-mental-health-4783067 Fry, A. (2020). Why do we need sleep? Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/why-do-we-need-sleep

Over the years, many adults, especially parents, seem to forget that kids are just kids. They seem to forget that a kid has no responsibility except that they should enjoy their years of innocence. A kid should make mistakes and not be punished; A kid should cry and not be yelled at; A kid should talk nonsensically and not be ignored; A kid should be naughty or unruly yet beloved; A kid should be held, embraced, and kissed and never be hit; A kid should be receiving proper education and not be forced to work at such a young age. Kids should be their parents' responsibility, and they should not be treated as adults. Their only responsibility is to spend their early years with love and be immersed in the innocence and purity of a child. A kid grown into a teenager is still a kid. They are not yet adults. Teenagers are supposed to change. Teenagers are supposed to feel things. Teenagers are supposed to be confused; they are supposed to explore. Teenagers are supposed to be able to tell their parents what is happening to them without fear. Teenagers should not be judged, for they are still kids who know a little about the world's reality we live in. If adults know and understand what kids need to strive physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally, perhaps they will guide them more. It is the responsibility of adults to teach kids to become grown men and women who know how to value themselves, who know how to look at people, and who know how to become responsible adults. Unfortunately, not everyone grows up in a healthy family, and the main reason for this is irresponsible adults. Who are the irresponsible adults? These are the people of the right age who, without their knowledge, abuse society's kids. They can be in the form of a sibling who constantly nags at her sister for being too skinny or overweight. They can be in the form of a dad who persistently makes his son feel like a disappointment shaped like a boy. They can be in the form of a mom who makes her young child an emotional punching bag for her dissatisfactions and insecurities in life. They can be in the form of a relative who consistently dumps an emotional toll on the young, hoping it would feel less of a burden to bear. They can be in the form of anyone who physically hits children, verbally threatens kids, shames youth, gaslights people, and invalidates others. The irresponsible adults raised depressed kids, anxious children, and suicidal teenagers-- without their knowledge. In turn, kids grow up hatching self-doubt instead of confidence. Kids grow up with hate towards their bodies instead of love. Kids grow up with emotional issues harnessed by adults. Kids grow up a little earlier than they should. They develop mental health issues way before developing their bodies—kids who were not treated like kids. If only adults knew how to be responsible, maybe numbers and statistics for the youth with mental health issues would not be that high. We should not treat kids like this. They should not be your way out of distress. They should not share the emotional burden you bear. They are just kids. We are just kids. It is a sad yet striking reality that parents and families, the first adults in a kid's life and who should be our most vital support system, are ironically the root of some children's mental health issues. This is not right; teenagers grow up in a home where their supposedly strongest allies become their most despised enemies. No one is perfect, even family, but we owe the kids to be responsible adults. Because if we are not, how do we expect them to be?

Disagreement in opinion regarding different topics causes a lot of tension between people. Whether someone supports this particular political party, or someone supports misogyny, divorce, gay marriage, and other heated topics that seem to be offensive and wrongfully viewed causes people to resort to "Cancelling" that person (Norris, 2020). But what really is the cancel culture? Why do people use it a lot these days? Why do people resort to canceling the person who has a different view from their view? The so-called cancel culture has been used a lot in this tech-filled generation. It causes someone to automatically cancel the person, the organization, or the business that believes differently or does something out of the social norm. Not only does it create division in our society, but it also promotes hate and generalized judgment toward a person or group of people who have opposing opinions and views. Instead of resorting to creating this culture of cancellation on people who are being called out. We as an individual should start within ourselves, we should educate and encourage one another to be understood and to have an understanding without creating a wall that sees everything that is happening in black and white. References: Norris, P. (2020). Closed Minds? Is a ‘Cancel Culture’ Stifling Academic Freedom and Intellectual Debate in Political Science? SSRN Electronic Journal. Published. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3671026 Photo from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.esquiremag.ph%2Fculture%2Farts-and-entertainment%2Ffilipino-celebrity-apologies-a00297-20201217-lfrm&psig=AOvVaw0k3gI1H2rRKf-5wJlS4XF8&ust=1649235143652000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAoQjRxqFwoTCID0l_LF_PYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

Overview of the Phenomenon With the outbreak of COVID-19 during the first three months of 2020, our very lives have been subjected to different types of community quarantine protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly virus (Bainbridge & Vimonsuknopparat, 2020). Malls were closed, learning became virtual, social gatherings became taboo, and our chances to travel became extremely hard. All the things we used to enjoy has now become a memory. Sudden changes in lifestyle due to the pandemic have greatly affected people's psychological well-being. According to Tee et al. (2020), during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, one-fourth of the respondents recorded an increase in anxiety levels which range from moderate to severe, while one-sixth of the respondents indicates an increase in feelings of depression from moderate to severe. These results highlight the spike of different mental health concerns due to the sudden and continuous effect of the pandemic trend. With everyone forced to stay at their homes during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns, people were looking for ways not just to survive but to cope with the unrelenting situation. People began to look for ways to entertain themselves, and one of them is video games. Anecdotal reports suggest that many have turned to playing video games during the height of the pandemic (Barr & Copeland-Stewart, 2021). A Whole New World Games that provide a sense of escapism garnered popularity during the height of the pandemic, according to several studies (Barr & Copeland-Stewart, 2021) (Coyle, 2020) (Zhu, 2021). No wonder games like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, Legend of Zelda, and Genshin Impact garnered international attention thanks to their relaxing, immersive gameplay. These games allowed players to explore environments, interact with other people, and live an unbothered life virtually. It helped many people temporarily escape from the gloom given by the pandemic by being “present” in a different world. Contributions to Well-Being Recent studies on understanding the impact of playing video games during COVID-19 lockdowns have shown positive indications. According to Barr and Copeland-Stewart (2021), their study suggests that people who play video games have a significant positive outcome on their perceived well-being during lockdowns. It is also mentioned in the results of the research that people used video games as means of maintaining social connection and a stress-relieving and mentally stimulating escape from the effects of the pandemic. Another study suggests that video games have offered uncommon mood-improving and stress-reducing effects. Games help players shift their attention from whatever is disrupting their mindset into the external reality of the game. This shift has been shown to calm the nervous system and, compared to other activities such as watching a movie, nothing beats video games since they are known to be immersive as they fully engulf and distract the players' mind from worries and stress (Wiedlerhold, 2021). Concerning the mentioned studies, related research has shown that active video games (AVG) are now utilized to improve children and adolescents' physical and psychological well-being during social isolation. A study conducted by Santos et al. (2021) has shown moderate-quality evidence that active video games positively contribute to children and adolescents’ self-esteem, energy expenditure, and physical wellness while being at home due to the pandemic. Enjoyable in moderation While playing games is proven to be psychologically valuable at this trying time, moderation in playtime is recommended for children and adolescents to avoid health-related problems, according to The Child Mind Institute (2019). While there is no official health guideline on how much gaming is too much for adults, the answer is likely for them to moderate their playtime as well. Gaming is associated with many different health issues (Grinspoon, 2020). Is playing too much means for a gaming disorder? That depends on current medical references. Currently, only the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) considers the existence of 'gaming disorder.' But the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is yet to study its inclusion as a disorder. However, the DSM-5 has a section to provide information for people and medical practitioners to identify the warning signs of video gaming-related problems (Ratini, 2021). The gaming disorder is not fully understood or agreed upon but can include public health approaches such as education and harm reduction programs, stricter warning labels, as well as future psychological interventions (Grinspoon, 2020). References: Bainbridge , A., Vimonsuknopparat, S. (2020). This is what life is like in the Philippines amid one of the world's toughest coronavirus lockdowns. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-29/philippines-social-volcano-threatening-to-erupt-amid-covid-19/12193188 Barr, S., Copeland-Stewart, A. (2021). Playing Video Games During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Effects on Players’ Well-Being. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15554120211017036 Child Mind Institute. (2019). Healthy Limits on Video Games. Retrieved from https://childmind.org/article/healthy-limits-on-video-games/ Grinspoon, P. (2020). The health effects of too much gaming. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-health-effects-of-too-much-gaming-2020122221645 Nielsen. (2021). 3, 2, 1 Go! Video Gaming Is At An All-Time High During Covid-19. https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2020/3-2-1-go-video-gaming-is-at-an-all-time-high-during-covid-19/ Ratini, S. (2021). Is Video Game Addiction Real?. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/video-game-addiction Santos, I.K.D., Medeiros, R.C.D.S.C., Medeiros, J.A., Almeida-Neto, P.F., Sena, D.C.S., Cobucci, R.N., Oliveira, R.S., Cabral, B.G.A.T., Dantas, P.M.S. (2021). Active Video Games for Improving Mental Health and Physical Fitness-An Alternative for Children and Adolescents during Social Isolation: An Overview. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33572159/ Tee, M.L., Tee, C.A., Anlacan, J.P., Aligam, K.J.G., Reyes, P.W.C., Kuruchittham V., Ho R.C. (2020) Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32861839/ Wiederhold, B. (2021). Violent Video Games: Harmful Trigger or Harmless Diversion?. Retrieved from https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2020.29203.editorial Character Images retrieved from: https://win.gg/news/these-brimstone-molotov-tricks-will-win-you-rounds-on-haven/ https://www.pcgamesn.com/genshin-impact/characters-best-guide https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/the-legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-switch/ https://earlygame.com/valorant/champions-semifinals-recap/

In today’s generation, people are being more accepting; however, there are more ways to attack people because of these new things, and it is as aggressive as ever. One of the issues that up until now is being faced is body shaming which is making inappropriate comments about somebody’s weight. You might associate this with plus-sized people; however, this can also apply to people who are “too skinny.” Body shaming is everywhere due to having a social standard of what a body should look like. This can either be by mocking someone of their weight or saying it verbally. This can lead to mental health issues such as low-self esteem; the worst-case scenario would be depression. It dates back to prehistoric times when the ideal body was voluptuous and curvy. Goddesses were portrayed that way, and until the 20th-century, corsets were made to achieve that figure. In the 1920s, women were more into being slim, so it became an eating disorder epidemic to achieve a slim figure. However, in the 1950s, when Marilyn Monroe had a fuller body figure became an icon, all women believed that this was the new ideal body. In the 70s, women were freer to express their bodies; however, it became the rise of anorexia nervosa as more women tended to instill in their minds to maintain their weight. The 80s were the rise of supermodels by having a fitter figure. When it was the year 2000, obesity caused a person to have too much body fat making some children, men and women lose their confidence; however, by 2010, people embraced diversity and people are more open to different body types, which coined the term “Body Positivity” which aims to show different types of body. With these terms, everybody embraced the #LoveYourBody advocacy, and everything is all good; however, is body positivity the proper term? There have been criticisms with BoPo because of this movement. Some believed that it created an unhealthy culture. Being obese is not right, nor is it healthy however do not exhaust yourself to lose weight drastically. Amidst all criticisms, a new term has been born, and that is Body Neutrality, which promotes accepting one’s body while discovering non-physical aspects and remarkable abilities; you love your body every day, and it stays like that. Start accepting your flaws and body. Being able to be mindful about your body is the start of happiness. Just flaunt and show what you got; you are confidently beautiful, so work it. References: Fuller, K. (n.d.). Body positivity vs. Body neutrality. Verywell Mind. Retrieved August 26, 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/body-positivity-vs-body-neutrality-5184565 Howard, J. C. V. B. A. G. (2018, March 9). How the “ideal” woman’s body shape has changed throughout history. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/07/health/body-image-history-of-beauty-explainer-intl/index.html Preston, A. M. (2021, January 8). The body positivity community can be toxic too, we just don’t talk about it. Harper’s BAZAAR. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/health/a35162869/body-positivity-community-and-weight-loss/ Simon, K., & Hurst, M. (2021). Body positivity, but not for everyone: The role of model size in exposure effects on women’s mood, body satisfaction, and food choice. Body Image, 39, 125–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.07.001 Soussi, F. (2020, August 17). Why the body positivity movement could be toxic - invisible illness. Medium. https://medium.com/invisible-illness/why-the-body-positivity-movement-could-be-toxic-3524455b5643 What is body shaming | lifeworks eating disorders surrey. (n.d.). Life Works Community. Retrieved August 26, 2021, from https://www.lifeworkscommunity.com/blog/what-is-body-shaming-and-how-can-it-be-stopped Photo retrieved from: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vogue.co.uk%2Fbeauty%2Farticle%2Fbody-positivity-movement&psig=AOvVaw3epJmpfqL4yQNjNcvM31eN&ust=1645515272238000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCNCn3MilkPYCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

What is it like to live with animal companions? If you ask me. Personally, I am an animal lover especially to the ones that are domesticated. I have a pet dog, cat and some fish in my aquarium. I have been a pet owner for a long time and for many pets that have passed. Even though some of them are gone because nature took its place on them and I might have gotten carried away in terms of taking care of them, I cherished each moment I had with my pets. I will always remember the time that they helped me cope up with stress and whenever I am anxious or sad I would hug and pet my animals. And now, to my current pets, I am more caring, loving and I have learned the do’s and don'ts with them, I still want to learn a lot about how to take care of them. It's something that I will treasure until I get older. These pets I have, love me back. I know this because as a pet owner, we feel that connection towards our pets as if we are their parents and that their body language distinguishes that they are indeed loving us and they want to play with us or feel the affection they get from us. We give that genuine care for them and that sense of responsibility to them that we gain as well. They might get into our nerves due to misbehavior sometimes but it is a normal response that they do and that is part of owning a pet. It is not all cute on all things that they do, but what matters is that they help us back as how we help them from hardships that we experience without knowing that somehow they do help. Evidently, all people who own a pet must know what specifically and how does our pet help us with our lives and how it reduces depression. Such as the examples here that are provided below. Pets as an engaging physical activity I get this benefit from my pet dog that is highly active and he always wants to play fetch with me. To support my idea, a study according to Paul Cherniack and Ariella Cherniack (2015) as an example of the benefit of having a pet such as having a dog may encourage physical activity, which may contribute to improved cardiovascular health and in their study stated that having a pet have shown that adults who own a pet exercise more and participate in more leisure-time physical activity. In general, if a pet is active, expect to engage in physical activity that includes chasing, running, etc. Pets as a cure to depression Whenever we feel that we are lonely and depressed, we should try to pet, give attention and groom the pet or pets we have. To show that it is effective, a study of Majic, Gutzmann, Heinz, et. al.(2013) showed that the elderlies that have an animal-assisted therapy such as a therapy dog that they pet and groom tends to stabilize the symptoms of their depression . Furthermore, to be in contact with animals, including pets, has social benefits and reduces loneliness which is better than to engage in destructive behaviors that are possible since you get the symptoms of depression. As we can see, it improves our mental health by helping ourselves or even the patients who are in need of any animal-assisted therapy. Setbacks in owning a pet Owning a pet can be very costly since we need to provide for their needs. Pets carry health risks for some people such as allergic reactions, infections and possible diseases (Stull, Brophy and Weese 2015). Pets can be destructive and pets require a lot in hand and the owner should dedicate time and attention, as I have said lately, there is responsibility required, if we are not able to have then we should not take care of a pet because it is for the individuals who are ready for what can cause. Conclusion: As a pet owner, my pets help me reduce stress whenever I walk, pet and feed them. It's my pets that are like a hero to me because they save the day by helping me cope up. To my dog that wags his tail, to my cat that purrs to me and to my fishes that follow my direction when I get close to the aquarium, I am happy to have them. When I get sad, my dog jumps on me, gets near me and so I play with him. When I’m lonely, I carry and cuddle the cat and when I feel exhausted due to a tiring day, I just stare at the fishes from the tank. I suggest that further studies should include the pets that are capable of such activities and not so generalized yet these pets improve our health and moods. There might be setbacks but it would not matter because what matters most is that you care and provide for these pets and not harm them. I suggest to those who have not owned a pet yet, better have one or more as long as you are ready for it and that the pet or pets you own are more capable of these activities because they are not just a pet, they are family. References: Cherniack, E. P., & Cherniack, A. R. (2015). Assessing the benefits and risks of owning a pet. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 187(10), 715–716. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150274 Majic T, Gutzmann H, Heinz A, et al. Animal-assisted therapy and agitation and depression in nursing home residents with dementia: a matched case–control trial. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2013;21:1052-9. Stull, J. W., Brophy, J., & Weese, J. S. (2015). Reducing the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 187(10), 736–743. doi:10.1503/cmaj.141020

Gawa-gawa niya lang yan. Nag-iinarte ka lang. Wala naman yan nung panahon namin. You may have heard one or all of these phrases growing up; I know I have. Mental health in the Philippines remains to be a taboo, filled with stigma and bias. Despite the increase in advocates and initiatives aiming to raise awareness and educate people on mental health, there remain to be barriers with a strong foothold. Having knowledge about mental health does not necessarily mean that you are more willing to seek professional help. Therefore, we as mental health advocates must try to tackle the barriers alongside our raising of awareness and education. Here are some of the barriers to mental health and help-seeking as identified by Martinez et al. (2020): Financial constraints Professional help often comes with a price. From therapy sessions to psychotropic medications, many individuals are unable to seek help because of financial constraints. Since mental health treatment is not a one-size-fits-all, others may need to have more sessions, maintenance medications, and other costs like additional tests, procedures, or programs. Others with more severe conditions may even require hospitalization or inpatient rehabilitation. This would then lead to inconsistent or inadequate treatment of others. Self and Social stigma Self and social stigma is another barrier that makes it harder for people to seek help and access treatment. For the self, there is an associated fear of receiving negative judgment or discrimination from others, especially with being labeled as "crazy." At the social level, there is the idea of bringing shame and embarrassment to the family when other people find out. There could also be pressure about putting one's cultural or religious group in a bad light. People fear the consequences of seeking help, whether it be a change of treatment from friends and loved ones or alienation in social and professional circles. Inaccessibility to mental health services Most mental health services are located in urban areas. Rural areas or provinces do not have the same services and facilities that these areas have. Most of the time, they have few to no mental health professionals. Many are unable to seek help because of the need for travel to access these providers. Aside from this, because there are only relatively a few mental health care providers, they usually have long waiting lists. This means that individuals would have to prolong their condition for months before even getting an appointment. Negative experience with help-seeking Another barrier to help-seeking would be negative experiences with their previous appointments or sessions. Individuals who had negative experiences with their mental health care provider, whether it be a disagreement in the kind of therapy administered or an uncomfortable feeling with the professional, tend to avoid seeking help again. Even just one negative experience can alter an individual's perception of help-seeking. Lack of awareness of mental health needs Many individuals lack awareness of mental health needs, which is different from a lack of awareness of mental health. The former is the inability to recognize mental health problems and their need for help. Meanwhile, the latter is lacking knowledge of what mental health is in general. Because of this, people may have a tendency to shrug off their symptoms or condition and not have an idea of seeking help. This is aggravated when the people around also lack awareness of identifying symptoms and mental health needs. So now that we know some of the barriers to help-seeking, we can try to address them while raising awareness and education to make it more effective and see that our initiatives have a significant impact. Of course, removing barriers and stigma on mental health is not an easy task as external factors and social institutions also come into play. However, when we work collectively for the benefit of everyone, this feat definitely is possible. References Martinez, A. B., Co, M., Lau, J., & Brown, J. S. L. (2020). Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: A systematic review. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 55, 1397–1413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01937-2

Thanks to social media and pop culture, mental health and different kinds of mental illnesses are being brought to light. More people are now relatively more aware of mental health and illnesses; however, their portrayal in media may not always be the most accurate and fall into the trap of misinterpretation and misrepresentation. Thus, people sometimes self-diagnose as they associate their observations of themselves with what they see on their screens. While media portrayal of mental illnesses may aid in raising awareness and putting a human face on a name, we must remain wary of inaccurate, exaggerated, and even fictional representations (for the sake of the storyline) of mental health as it adds to the stigma. Link and Cullen (1986) found that people who have no personal experience of engaging or encountering people with mental illnesses turn and rely on media for their understanding and perceptions of people with mental illnesses. This couldn't be any more true than in today's digital age, but as we all know, the media is prone to misinformation and disinformation; thus, we should always take everything with a grain of salt, fact check, and look for credible sources. When done in a correct, responsible, and accurate way, however, the portrayal of mental health and illnesses in the media could prove to be beneficial to the general public. Here are some of the benefits of utilizing media to report mental health and illnesses as studied by Srivastava et al. (2018): Humanize mental illness ​​One benefit of portraying mental illness in the media is that it humanizes mental illnesses; that is, it puts a human face on the illness. This aids in the enlightenment of people that mental health and illnesses are real. It also promotes familiarity, making mental illnesses as common as the common cold. Not only that, but it educates people that anyone can have mental illnesses. Offer hope to people with mental disorders When people read about or watch stories about people who have been diagnosed with mental disorders and were able to recover and be treated from them, it provides people with mental disorders hope that they too could get better. People would see that others have the same disorder and would realize that they could be treated and do not have to live with the disorder forever. They would also realize that they are not alone and that there are people willing to help them get through their condition. Encourage help-seeking Similarly, media portrayal of mental health and illnesses encourages help-seeking as people would see the importance of early recognition and treatment of mental illness. People would come to know that mental illnesses, like most other diseases, are amenable to treatment. This would then inspire people and their loved ones to research mental health services and providers and encourage people in distress not to delay seeking help. Provide accurate information about mental illness Last but definitely not least, media portrayal of mental health and illness, when done in the right way, could reach out to many people, raise awareness, and educate them on the subject matter. Providing factual and accurate information about mental disorders from reliable resource persons allows the people to have a better understanding and debunk the myths and preconceived stereotypes. People would learn that mental illness covers a wide range of symptoms, conditions, and effects on people's lives, so it's not right to self-diagnose or diagnose others if you are not a mental health professional. With all that being said, may we strive to raise awareness and education through accurate and reliable information? References: Link, B., & Cullen, F. (1986). Contact with the Mentally Ill and Perceptions of How Dangerous They Are. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 27(4), 289-302. doi:10.2307/2136945 Srivastava, K., Chaudhury, S., Bhat, P. S., & Mujawar, S. (2018). Media and mental health. Industrial psychiatry journal, 27(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_73_18

It cannot be underestimated how important mental health care is. In an article written by Newland (2014), the author stressed out how many people suffer from mental health disorders and how few of them receive the necessary intervention. Although not much attention is given in the field, mental health is vital to one’s overall health and well-being. According to Brennan (2021), mental and physical health are positively related. This means that improvements in one’s mental health result in improved physical health, and the other way around. This highlights how vital it is for everyone to take good care of their mental health. However, are you not wondering if mental health care is still the same as before? Most of us have this prototype of mental health care in mind: comfortable-looking clinics where people receive their therapy. When you hear the word psychotherapy, does it not remind you of clinics and psychologists on a white coat as is usually shown in films? This is the common picture of mental health care among individuals, but with the onset of technology, mental health care is transitioning to a more portable platform. By portable, it means that mental health care is now available on phones through mobile applications. Mental health is being transferred to a new platform that most of us use: mobile phones. In September of 2020, Kajitani, et al. developed a mental health application for their study. The application they developed features self-help and referral functions. Their goal was to test the short-term effect of a mobile mental health application on students’ mental health (Kajitani, 2020). The result of their two-week-long study was that using the mental health application they developed improved the mental health of the students (Kajitani, et al., 2021). Many similar studies have been performed and all of them show positive results. In one systematic review of 14 studies regarding the effectiveness of mental health mobile applications, it was found that mobile applications which aim to improve the mental health of the public are indeed effective in doing so (Hwang, et al., 2021). Similarly, Leech et al. (2021) found through their review that there is a promising potential with the use of mobile applications to improve mental health. Especially with the COVID-19 pandemic, most of our activities are regulated online. Thankfully, the current innovations of our time paved the way for a new platform for mental health care. As of this moment, the transition to mobile mental health care appears to be a reassuring field. Although limited, the data at hand provides hope for effective and efficient portable mental healthcare. To date, the field is still young and more studies are needed to fully learn about its benefits and risks. Thus far, among the questions raised about these mental health mobile applications involves uncertainty about their effectiveness, privacy concerns, and even the ethicality of such applications (Bauer, et al., 2020). With more research, these questions and uncertainties can better be answered and solved. If this field will continue to grow, we can expect it to bring many possibilities in the mental health field. We can imagine psychotherapy and psychological assessment provided through the functionalities of mobile applications. We can envision people with self-help applications on their phones to improve and monitor their mental health. Mobile phones will no longer be used only to play games, watch videos, and communicate with people; phones will have a bigger purpose, a more important function. Our devices will contain a layer of ourselves deeper than those thin and lightweight gadgets. Although a lot more possibilities await as we explore this field, none of them have been guaranteed. After all, mental healthcare is pretty complicated. While the field is still young, caution is much needed and asked both from the practitioners and the public. Our mental health is also as significant as any other issues (e.g physical health etc.). Hence, if we are very careful when it comes to what we do with our bodies, the same care must be given to our mental health. Although the results show great promise, everyone must be careful enough when utilizing applications currently available in the market. Similarly, mental health professionals should also be careful when utilizing mental health applications and they must provide their patients with enough information regarding the known risks and benefits of such. References Bauer, M., Glenn, T., Geddes, J., Gitlin, M., Grof, P., Kessing, L.V., Monteith, S., Faurholt‑Jepsen, M., Severus, E., & Whybrow, P. C. (2020). Smartphones in mental health: a critical review of background issues, current status and future concerns. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 8(2), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-019-0164-x Brennan, D. (2021, March 29). How does mental health affect physical health. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/how-does-mental-health-affect-physical-health Hwang, W. J., Ha, J. S., Kim, M. J. (2021). Research trends on mobile mental health application for general population: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 2459. https:// doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052459 Kajitani, K., Higashijima, I., Kaneko, K., Matsushita, T., Fukumori, H., Kim, D. (2020). Short-term effect of a smartphone application on the mental health of university students: A pilot study using a user-centered design self-monitoring application for mental health. PLoS ONE, 15(9), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239592 Leech, T., Dorstyn, D., Taylor, A., & Li, W. (2021). Mental health apps for adolescents and young adults: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Children and Youth Services Review, 127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106073 Newland, J. (2014). The importance of mental health. The Nurse Practitioner, 39(10), 8. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000453648.45942.d0

Who would have thought that during this pandemic the word “plantito” and “plantita” would suddenly come to life? Just surf through the net and you will see countless videos and articles about plants: how to take care of them, what plant best suits me, and many more plant questions and answers. Like a grass that grows and pops up everywhere and anywhere, the Plantito/ Plantita trend also grew. Everyone suddenly became interested in planting and gardening. Morning news and webinars became filled with plant-related topics. If you are one of those who fell in love with plants and gardening, you are not alone. But have you ever wondered, do plants actually help us stay sane during this pandemic? According to research, interacting with indoor plants help reduce stress and anxiety (Lee, et al., 2015). In their study, Lee et al. (2015) found that people engaging in gardening have reduced autonomic response which is usually triggered when an individual is stressed. This means that when people interact with plants, there is a reduction in bodily response associated with stress and anxiety. Additionally, Hall and Knuth (2019) reviewed past studies regarding the benefits of plants on one’s mental health. Among the most prominent results were: reduction of depression, anxiety, and stress; increase in happiness; and improvement in self-esteem (Hall & Knuth, 2019). This study points out the many benefits of taking care of a plant. During a time when stress is an outpouring, plants can help to alleviate negative feelings. Plants were also found to have a positive effect on stress by increasing brain activity which is usually reduced due to stress (Hassan, 2018). Hassan and co-authors (2018) said that planting-related activities have an effect on the brain that is comparable to taking anxiety-reducing medication. It is as if plants and gardening are the panaceas to stress and anxiety and the elixirs to improved mental health. Another group of researchers found that putting plants on the office desk helps enhance the working environment (Toyoda, et al., 2020). In the same research, it was found that plants aided the workers in pausing from their work which helped reduce stress (Toyoda, et al., 2020). The researchers were even bold enough to say that there will be an improvement in the employee’s mental health if they will be allowed to take “nature breaks' ' (Toyoda, et al., 2020). Similarly, Genjo et al. (2019) found that plants do have a relaxing effect and plants help reduce fatigue in the workplace. These two research points out how plants can help in workers’ mental health and functioning. These also emphasize that the benefits of plants extend beyond home life, but also work life. To date, there is a psychological intervention called “green care” wherein the focus is on the utility of nature as a way of therapy (Cuthbert, et al., 2021). Green care was found to be effective in improving the mental health of young people in America diagnosed with a mental disorder (Nosbusch, 2016). Even so, currently, there is limited research regarding green care, but the existing studies show promising results (Cuthbert, et al., 2021). Since the interest in plants and gardening grew, more research regarding green care is worth it. With all the information previously mentioned, it is not surprising how gardening suddenly boomed during the pandemic. We all know how stressful the COVID-19 outbreak was and how stressful it still is. By taking care of plants, we can improve our mental health and create an avenue to reconnect with ourselves and with nature. For students stuck in an online class and for workers who remain on a work-from-home basis, now is the time to plant your favorite plant and let them bloom along with your good mental health. Time to turn your environment greener and surround yourself with green buddies. May it be the easy-to-care-for Golden Pothos or the dazzling Mayana, let gardening be one of the activities you do to help boost your mental health and relieve stress. Grab your shovel and your seedlings and plant your way towards healthier mental health; add planting to the list of the things you can do when stressed out. References Cuthbert, S., Kellas, A., & Page, L. (2021). Green care in psychiatry. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 218(2), 73-74. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2020.166 Genjo, K., Matsumoto, H., Ogata, N., & Nakano, T. (2019). Feasibility study on mental health-care effects of plant installations in office spaces. Japan Architectural Review, 2(3), 376–388. https://doi.org/10.1002/2475-8876.12098 Hall, C. & Knuth, M. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: A review of the emotional and mental health benefits of plants. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 37(1), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-37.1.30 Hassan, A., Qibing, C., Tao, J., Bing-Yang, L., Nian, L., Li, S., Tng, L.Y., Li, J.Z., & Ziyue, S.G. (2018). Effects of plant activity on mental stress in young adults. American Society for Horticultural Science, 53, 104-109. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI12447-17 Lee, M.S., Lee, J., Park, B.J., Miyazaki, Y. (2015). Interaction with indoor plants may reduce psychological and physiological stress by suppressing autonomic nervous system activity in young adults: a randomized crossover study. Journal of Physiological Anthropology, 34(21). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40101-015-0060-8 Nosbusch, B. (2016). Benefits of green care for youth with a mental health diagnosis. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/645 Toyoda, M., Yokota, Y., Barnes, M., & Kaneko, M. (2020). Potential of a small indoor plant on the desk for reducing office workers’ stress. American Society for Horticultural Science, 30(1), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04427-19