PH Consulate General in Dubai Holds A Webinar on Stress Coping, Well-Being during this Pandemic

DUBAI 01 September 2020 — The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates organized a webinar on "Stress Coping and Well-Being During This Pandemic" on 27 August 2020.

The webinar is in line with the Consulate General's initiative to assist overseas Filipinos in Dubai and Northern Emirates by building their capacity to manage stress, especially as the world is experiencing one of the most challenging times in human history.

In his opening remarks, Philippine Consul General in Dubai Paul Raymund P. Cortes noted how the pandemic affected everyone economically, physically and psychologically. The pandemic brought about fear, loneliness, and anxiety among Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) resulting from loss of job and income, uncertainty of the future, and sometimes due to loss of loved ones due to the virus. Consul General Cortes noted how it is in times like these when it is important to focus on well-being—mind, body, and soul—and find balance to better cope with the challenges brought by the pandemic. 

Mrs. Betty Duhaylongsod, a United Nations certified external stress counselor, psychologist, psychometrician, and HR consultant who is currently based in the Philippines, provided the participants--about 40 from the Philippine Schools and Filipino community members in Dubai and the Northern Emirates--some practical tips on how to recognize stress and combat its ill effects on the mind and body.

Mrs. Duhaylongsod emphasized the need for everyone to close the gap between physical and psychological health.  Aside from eating healthy and doing daily exercises, one also has to look after mental health. Unlike a pack of cigarettes, loneliness, anxiety, and stress do not carry a warning sign that it is bad for people’s health and well-being. Thus, everyone would need to look after themselves and recognize the signs of stress.

She further clarified that promoting mental health does not mean eliminating all negative thoughts and emotions. On the contrary, it encourages one to recognize the issues in order for a person to find ways to better handle and manage them.  

The webinar was organized under the Consulate’s Parola Series, the avenue through which the Consulate shares to Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates valuable information that will allow them to make informed decisions. END

For more information, visit https://www.dubaipcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinDubai