PH Embassy in Moscow Holds E-Kapihan on Mental Health During Quarantine
The Philippine Embassy in Moscow Vice Consul Mary Grace Perpetua and Dr. Luis Jurado discuss mental health during quarantine during the live e-Kapihan broadcast. (Moscow PE photo)
MOSCOW 24 April 2020 – On Easter Sunday, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow held a special e-Kapihan called “Quarantine and Mental Health” for Filipino Community in Russia, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
The project is part of the Embassy’s Gender and Development (GAD) program which aimed to share insights and useful tips on health and stress for Filipino community members who are currently living under strict quarantine regimes in their host countries. Shot at the Chancery and broadcasted live via the Embassy’s official Facebook account, the e-Kapihan featured Dr. Luis Jurado, neurosurgeon and trusted Embassy partner in previous GAD projects. Almost 3,000 viewers watched the broadcast.
Dr. Jurado discussed the link between mental health and physical fitness, noting that each person responds differently to stress. With COVID-19 temporarily displacing many Filipino workers from employment thereby affecting income and mobility, the Embassy has noted increased anxiety levels among the Filipino community. Dr. Jurado shared useful coping tips such as acknowledging stress and allowing time to recover from its effect. It is also important to identify and detach oneself from sources of stress, to stay positive, and find support systems such as friends and family members.
The e-Kapihan also talked about the toll of quarantine on the household, particularly on young children. The role of parents is particularly crucial in helping children cope with stress and giving them tools to strengthen their mental health. With many Filipino workers being away from their families, one can make use of modern communication technology to bridge the gap and provide emotional support from afar.
Finally, Dr. Jurado also informed viewers to prepare for a post-quarantine world. He noted that health precautions such as physical distancing and wearing of masks will still need to be practiced, while work and home routines can still experience disruptions. He also gave practical advice on what to do if a household member experiences COVID-19 symptoms, stressing that one should not hesitate to seek help if symptoms worsen.
In the near future, the Embassy will continue to partner with experts and other resource persons in projects that promote empowerment and community wellness. END
Behind the scenes at the e-Kapihan, Ms. Cherry Narvaez manning the camera during the live broadcast. (Moscow PE photo)
(Moscow PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/ or https://twitter.com/phlinrussia.