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

The number and strength of relationships throughout our life have an impact on our mental and physical well-being. According to the American Psychological Association, a lack of social interactions and/ or loneliness can have a direct impact on our emotional and physical health, which can lead to weight gain, sleep loss, and a weakened immune system. As a result, the advantages of social bonds are substantial. To stay well and happy, we must be socially active. So, how do we improve our social connections? Consider the kind of connections we have and the types of relationships we would like to have. We may discover that we want to meet new acquaintances or that we want to strengthen our existing ties. Or perhaps we have a tendency to remain with old pals and are unable to meet new ones. Furthermore, we may also require aid in understanding the obstacles we have developed that hinder us from connecting effectively with others. Some examples of obstacles include poor self-esteem, lack of confidence, nervousness, and difficulty asking for and receiving support from others. Thus, consulting a counselor may help us improve our capacity to connect with people in a safe and supportive setting. After doing this, we may want to reach out to individuals we already know, such as coworkers, colleagues, relatives, or neighbors. We can give them a call, write or email them, and let them know that we want to communicate with them more frequently. We may also consider the common interest they have in using Facebook and other social media platforms. There are also several ways to meet new individuals and build ties with them. We can begin a discussion with people we see on a daily basis, such as those on our bus in the morning, baristas in our local Starbucks, checkout workers at our family mart, and any activity we do in our life that are around people. Similarly, joining a sports team or volunteering are some other options. Although not all these methods will work for everyone, we could try a variety of approaches to determine what works best for us. We can always try something new! The aim is to be able to share our time, experiences, and stories with others while also listening to them. We can be happier and more fulfilled as a result of the social ties we develop. In this approach, social connectivity provides positive feedback on social, emotional, and physical well-being. Reference: Novotney, A. (2019) The risks of social isolation. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/05/ce-corner-isolation

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it greatly affected our lives, creating an emergency state globally. The COVID-19 pandemic endangers not only our physical health but also our mental health as well. As this pandemic continues, it also limits our lives, making us prone to feel overwhelmed by different kinds of emotions. Concerns regarding mental health and substance have grown, including concerns about suicidal ideation (Panchal et al., 2021). There are many factors in this pandemic that can affect our mental health. The stress of being isolated from others, worries about jobs and financial security, health, and some losses in this pandemic can trigger anxiety and depression. Life can seem hopeless during these times, and many negative emotions could overwhelm us, resulting in depression and could interfere with our daily lives. Learning and noticing early signs of depression, especially at this time, could help us take an immediate course of action and help lessen or help us deal with it. Here are some things that you could do to cope with depression during the pandemic: Change your focus It is not easy to change our focus during these circumstances, and taking the first step is always the hardest. But changing your focus could go a long way. You always have more control over your mood and how you feel. During these times, it is a given that we are undergoing some challenges, and depression could make things worse. Depression could fill us with negativity and drain our motivation away to do the things that we enjoyed before. Recognizing those things could help you see a clearer view of what you should focus on more and help you take your first step towards a more optimistic perspective. Distract yourself Find simple sources of joy Limit your consumption of news Maintain a routine Express gratitude Find new ways to engage with others. This pandemic continues to limit our way of life, and one of them is how we usually socialize with other people. Meeting people in person is challenging to do now, but that doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself and stop interacting with others. Face-to-face contact is still the best way to improve our mood and help our well-being, but interacting with others through chat, phone calls, or video calls could still allow you to be connected with other people. Remember that reaching out and staying bound is essential. Learn how to CONNECT with others Move beyond small talk Share about yourself Adopt healthy daily habits Daily habits play a significant role in your overall well-being. During this pandemic, having a healthy daily routine is a must. Sometimes, you may slip out and make unhealthy habits, especially if you are stuck at home and doing nothing. You may sleep late, overeat, drink too much to fill in the gap. But having a healthy habit and maintaining it could help you better and improve your well-being. Get moving Practice relaxation techniques Eat a mood-boosting diet. Sleep well Use reminders to keep yourself on track Reference: Salari, N., Hosseinian-Far, A., Jalali, R., Vaisi-Raygani, A., Rasoulpoor, S., Mohammadi, M., Rasoulpoor, S., & Khaledi-Paveh, B. (2020). Prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Globalization and Health, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-020-00589-w Weber, M. (2020, May 30). Dealing with depression during coronavirus. HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/dealing-with-depression-during-coronavirus.htm Dealing with depression during coronavirus. (2020, May 30). HelpGuide.org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/dealing-with-depression-during-coronavirus.htm# The implications of COVID-19 for mental health and substance use. (2021, April 14). KFF. https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/

The World Health Organization categorized Covid-19 as a pandemic on March 11th, 2020 as it has affected the aspects of human life worldwide. The number of infected people and the mortality rate in some countries were rising fast. Countries that have been affected by the pandemic have forced the government to implement strict restrictions that impact people’s lives. Restaurants, Malls, Hotels, and other non-essential venues were forced to close. Only the essential shops were exempted such as groceries, pharmacies and other essential companies remained open. This resulted in a lot of people becoming unemployed and in turn, developing mental health problems. The surge in unemployment is one of the factors in the findings that financial stresses, lack of social support, and job loss are the leading contributors to substance abuse, suicide, and other mental health issues. The course of the pandemic was uncertain and the concern for financial instability that stems from the lockdown orders led to mental health problems. The fear inflicted by the Covid-19 virus has contributed to generalized anxiety and panic. Stay-at-home lockdown orders and social distancing measures also factored in mental health problems because social connections and satisfaction with life are a facet of daily existence. It also raised concerns that post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms could persist even after the pandemic has been resolved. People who stayed in quarantine facilities have also shown symptoms of PTSD and depression. The unemployment rates triggered by Covid-19 posed a significant threat to mental health. The economic forecasts showed that the market recovery in countries deeply affected by the Covid-19 virus will take a long time. Many of the people who are unemployed due to the pandemic suffered prolonged unemployment. Chronic stressors such as prolonged unemployment have the most negative impact on people’s mental health. Unemployment is associated with financial strain, thus can effectively decline one’s self-esteem, and is known to have a severe impact on families and individuals. This unemployment crisis posed a great threat to the mental health of the people and is still in urgent need of a solution. References: Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(19), 7163; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197163 Journal of Health and Social Behavior Vol. 30, No. 3 (Sep., 1989), pp. 241-256 (16 pages) Published By: American Sociological Association https://doi.org/10.2307/2136956 López del Amo González, M.P., Benítez, V. & Martín-Martín, J.J. Long term unemployment, income, poverty, and social public expenditure, and their relationship with self-perceived health in Spain (2007–2011). BMC Public Health 18, 133 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-5004-2 Front Psychol. 2021; 12: 576301. Published online 2021 Feb 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.576301

During the COVID - 19 pandemic, burnout in the workplace was very common especially when employees have been exposed in the field and battling frontline. Nurses, doctors, medics, and other frontline workers cry for help as they have been overworked, but experiencing low compensation and hazard pay. In addition to that, they are isolated from their loved ones and have been experiencing discrimination in their barangays and other places. According to Blake et al., (2020), health care workers are not only at high risk of acquiring Covid-19, but they also experience psychological distress due to isolation from their loved ones to prevent transmission of the virus, increased workload, and hours of duty that leads to burnout, shortage of medical supplies, equipment, and protective gears, physical and emotional exhaustion and many life and death decision making. Experiencing burnout in the workplace comes from; mental and/or physical fatigue, pessimism is the cause of detachment in responding to providing services and it reduces professional efficacy which is the mindset that you will be unable to complete tasks successfully. According to the Job Demands-Resources model (Taylor et al., 2015), burnout occurs when the employees experience that the demands in their workplace exceed while the resources that are available to them decrease. Resources can also be the employees’ work climate, job social support, job autonomy and skill direction, and self-traits. With these experiences, it is important to cope and build resilience and provide emotional support for your colleagues as well. Being compassionate to yourself and your colleagues helps decrease stress and emotional extremes adopted in the workplace. You can do this by checking up on your colleagues once in a while and trying to think of some activities that will help you feel relaxed after long hours of duty. It is also important to connect with family, colleagues, and friends as one of your coping mechanisms. It is said that having a social connection with people with the same experience as you helps as emotional support, just don't forget to balance it with your family and non-work-related friends. References: Taylor, N. Z., Millear, P. M. R., (2015), “The contribution of mindfulness to predicting burnout in workplace”, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.10.005 Sritharan, J., Jegathesan, T., Vimaleswaran, D., Sritharan, A., (2020), “Mental Health Concerns of Frontline Workers During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review”, doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v12n11p89 Tomlin, J., Warburton, B. D., Lamph, G., (2020), “ Psychosocial Support for Healthcare Workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic”, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01960

Many employees, even students, are getting overwhelmed with their to-do list, which is basically a list of important things they must do or finish at the end of the day. Indeed, it helps in setting our priorities straight so that we will be able to efficiently and effectively work at our own pace. However, the to-do list does not include the part where we are disrupted to do other work, interrupted by an unexpected problem, or attended to an urgent matter, where no one is available except us. Nonetheless, we would get back to our work and the sight of our to-do list untouched will make us think that we haven't got anything done. This, in turn, will make us feel mentally stressed out and unmotivated because of not being able to accomplish what we set out to do. It is not always, but we may find ourselves having sudden waves of anxiety and a crippling feeling of pressure to get things done. In an article, Forget the “to-do” list. You really need a “get-done” list, the author, who is also a life coach, developed a technique called the “got-done” list. Contrary to the to-do list, the got-done list is a running log of accomplishments and things that her clients additionally did for the day, big or small. Results about making the got-done list alongside the traditional to-do list have proved to help both the author and her clients in having a broadened perspective and motivational standpoint. Also in the same article, Teresa Amabile, Baker Foundation Professor at Harvard Business School and co-author of The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work, listed some of the benefits of making a got-done list. It included capturing small wins and stirring progress, helping soothe the frustration of not being able to accomplish the set-out goals, and lastly, it helps in identifying what causes clients to lose focus or attention. Indeed, the idea of making a got-done list seemed to be an effective strategy to counter the mental pressure of a to-do list. After the pandemic has stirred our lives in ways we would have not imagined, we may have, at some point, depending on supplemental reminders of our daily tasks and goals. Undeniably for some, it became the new normal— setting daily goals and working to the extent of our capabilities to finish them. Oftentimes, we check our to-do list more than we check ourselves, and we have perhaps forgotten that in these difficult times, the most important reminder is to take care of ourselves and make sure we are okay. It is only natural to set our minds on achieving our goals, however, achieving goals is not linear. There will be a time that would seem out of our schedule but it does not define what we can and cannot achieve. We may take a little more of the time than what we have set, but our list will soon be over and done. We may lose a little bit of our time by being interrupted, but we should not lose the ability to start anew. A simple reminder for everyone who often feels stressed about not getting anything on the list crossed out: be gentle on yourself and enjoy your achievements, no matter how big, no matter how small. The only to-do list we must follow is the one where we are reminded of taking gentle care of ourselves. Reference: Kim, S. (2021). Forget the “to-do” list. You really need a “get-done” list. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/productivity-got-done-list/

You see them every day on social media. You would laugh at them and would probably share them with your friends. Memes have totally taken the internet by storm. It’s a total go-to for everyone whenever they’re stressed or depressed. Back when my friends and I were completing our qualitative thesis on memes, we noticed that our participants received mostly positive experiences from creating and sharing them on social media. While making the analysis, an idea crossed my mind and I thought to myself, “If they received favorable experience from memes, maybe it could be used for therapy?” It’s a ridiculous question, I know. But for the most part, the majority of us who use the internet also happen to use social media, which, in turn, means that almost everyone has seen at least one meme. Well, people who use social media regularly, have more experience with encountering memes and the short-term positive effects that it brings. In our study, the participants told us in an interview that they were able to adapt to their current situation in life like a recent heartbreak, insecurities, or even boredom. They all noted positive outcomes from making memes and posting them on social media. One participant notably mentioned that it was able to treat his feelings of sadness and made him feel better. So, why not share a meme with your friends? Maybe you can brighten their mood while improving yours at the same time!

Suicide is a notion that many people have at some time in their life. Suicidal thoughts can refer to abstract ideas about terminating one's life or feelings. Suicidal ideation can be triggered by a variety of causes, including vulnerability and stressful life experiences. According to national surveys, 11.4 percent of adolescents tried suicide seriously, 7.9 percent formed a suicide plot, and 1.7 percent attempted suicide (Barrios, Everreth, Simon, et al., 2000). At some point in life, individuals may feel sad and down, think that no one loves them, and there is something wrong with them. But the fact is, someone loves us and they care about us. Always remember that suicide is not the key to solving your problem. Remember that problems are temporary but suicide is permanent. To avoid suicidal thoughts, here are some strategies to cope with suicidal thoughts: Talk to your loved ones. This is one of the keys to avoiding suicidal ideation. Talking to someone can make it easier to overcome any hurdles that cause suicidal thoughts. Avoid alcohol and drugs. It is important to avoid drugs or alcohol when you feel hopeless because it might trigger your emotions and will lead to thinking suicidal thoughts. Do not hesitate to reach out for help. It is okay to reach out for help when you cannot manage your emotional thoughts. Find someone who is willing to listen and someone who genuinely cares for your health. Always pray and talk to God. When you feel the world does not love you anymore, no matter how hard the situation is, always talk to God. This is the most effective weapon you have to combat suicide ideation. Even though life is so tough, we should not easily plan to finish our lives. By seeking help from anyone, we can start to realize that we are not alone and we can get through this hard time. I also highly recommend seeking professional help or a counselor to help you deal with your problem and for the betterment of your condition. Through therapy and medication, many suicidal individuals get along with their past suicidal thoughts and live their life to the fullest. Reference: Arria, A., O’Grady, K., Caldeira, K., Vincent K., Wilcox, H., & Wish, E. (2009). Suicide Ideation Among College Students: A Multivariate Analysis. Archives of Suicide Research, 13(3), 230-246. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811110903044351 Barrios, L. C., Everett, S. A., Simon, T. R., & Brener, N. D. (2000). Suicide Ideation Among US College Students Associations With Other Injury Risk Behaviors. Journal of American College Health,48(5), 229–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448480009599309 Kerr, M. (2019, December 21). Dealing with Thoughts of Suicide? Healthline.https://www.healthlinne.com/health/depression/suicidal-thoughts Robinson, L. (2021, July 15). Are you Feeling Suicidal? HelpGuide.Org. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/suicide-prevention/are-you-feeling-suicidal.htm Seppala, E. (2017, June 28). Connectedness & Health: The Science of Social Connection. The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. http://ccare.stanford.edu/uncategorized/connectedness-health-the-science-of-social-connection- infographic/