As the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll on Filipinos’ mental health at unprecedented levels, several organizations have lined up helpful online events in the days leading up to World Mental Health Day on Saturday, October 10.

For the 2020 celebration, the World Federation for Mental Health has adopted the theme “Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access.” It responds squarely to the World Health Organization (WHO) findings that, between June and August this year, mental health services were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 93 countries.

Given that the Philippines is poised to endure a longer period of community quarantine, isolation, and uncertainty, experts are bracing for what they consider a nationwide mental health epidemic.

Check out our running list of World Mental Health Day events and activities:

24-hour virtual global march for mental health

Social media advocacy group MentalHealthPH will serve as the lead campaigner in the Philippines for the world’s first 24-hour Virtual March for Mental Health on Friday, October 9. 

It will feature content and involve influencers from 18 countries, including the Philippines. Thematic hours will link mental health to various issues, such as youth and LGBTQ+ issues, humanitarian crises, inclusion, and dementia.

The event will be streamed on MentalHealthPH’s Facebook page at 7 am. Calls for mental health action from the Philippines will be featured starting 11 am.

Keynote speakers include Vice President Leni Robredo, Miss Universe 2015 and Goodwill Ambassador for The Joint United Nations Programme on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Pia Wurtzbach, and member of the Philippine Council on Mental Health Dr Lourdes Ladrido Ignacio.

This initiative is spearheaded in partnership with Speak Your Mind, a globally united campaign active in 19 countries that call on governments to invest, empower, and educate for mental health for all. 

PMHA’s National Mental Health Week webinars

The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) launched the #WeAreHere campaign on October 5, to reaffirm their commitment to different sectors, such as the government, health workers, and the youth. 

From October 5 to October 10, the association is holding webinars on a multitude of topics in partnership with the Department of Health and several mental health organizations, including Youth for Mental Health Coalition.

Among the topics are caring for family members with mental health conditions, and managing stress during the pandemic.

Check out their list of activities below:

Quezon City Public Library’s ‘Distress or De-Stress’ webinar

The Quezon City Public Library’s Reader Services Division will be holding an online webinar on how to take care of oneself during tough times on Saturday, October 10, through WebinarJam. 

Psychiatrist Dr Joan Mae Perez-Rifareal will be the main resource person during the event. 

University of the Philippines Mental Health Month

Student organizations from University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, including the UP Psychology Society, are staging their annual Mental Health Month celebration, this time titled “Dambayan,” to call for greater access to mental health services.

The initiatives include sharing motivational messages via downloadable wallpapers and interactive Facebook posts, stories on mental health and self-empowerment, staging mindfulness workshops, and an online concert featuring local bands and artists. 

‘Sama-sama’ by Ateneo’s Sanggunian: Commission on Mental Health

The Sanggunian: Commission on Mental Health, along with the Mental Health Coalition comprising of Ateneo Peers, Ateneo Psyche, and the Council of Organizations of the Ateneo – Manila’s Committee on Organizational Strategies for Mental Health, will be celebrating World Mental Health Day from October 5 to 10.

One of the activities lined up is an online webinar by the commission’s social media project Humans of Ateneo titled “Mirror Perspective” on Friday, October 9. It will be streamed through the organization’s Facebook page.

The webinar will feature faculty and staff from the Ateneo de Manila University as they talk about juggling doing their work from home with the demands of their day-to-day lives. 

The commission will also be preparing online initiatives and campaigns to help educate the public on mental health matters.

PUP’s ‘Kumusta ka?’ online webinar

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ College of Business Administration Student Council will be holding an online webinar titled “KUMUSTA KA? Malalimang Pagtalakay sa Mental Health Ngayong ‘New Normal’” on Saturday, October 10.

Social media personality Dr Gia Sison and Every Nation Campus missionary Mark Muleta will speak in the webinar about the need to raise mental health awareness and mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

Maranatha Christian Academy of Imus’ Psychedteens webinar

The Marantha Christian Academy of Imus will be holding an online webinar for parents titled “PSYCHEDTEENS – Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Adolescent’s Mental Health” on Saturday, October 10, via the school’s official Facebook page. It seeks to help parents understand teenagers’ mental health.

Bookmark this page. It is updated as new advisories come in. – Rappler.com