Keeping sane amid the pandemic

How have you been coping with the effects of the global pandemic? Do you still find meaning in your everyday existence? Or do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed doing even small tasks?

With the intent to help employees cope with the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, especially on their emotional and mental health, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 through its Administrative Division facilitated one of the biggest online event the agency ever had so far: KEEPING SANE: Beating, Surviving and Thriving Amidst Quarantine and Isolation Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic last September 17, 2021 through the Zoom platform.

Dr. Daisy Chua-Daquilanea, a veteran practicing psychiatrist and head of the Psychiatric Department of Western Visayas Medical Center is one of the two speakers during the online event which gathered more than 300 participants not only from the DENR but from other agencies as well, with the largest online delegates coming from the academe.

Three topics, namely: (1) Coping with COVID-19 Anxieties in Quarantine and Isolation; (2) Looking after your Mental Health while on Self-Isolation; and (3) Coping with Grief and Loss in the Midst of the Pandemic were tackled by Dr. Daquilanea. In this time of pandemic, she acknowledged the hard facts that people suffering from anxiety rose to twenty five percent (25%) worldwide.

Dr. Daquilanea delved on the core reason why many among us have experienced anxiety and depression: isolation due to quarantine. Although quarantine is an effective way to lower down the virus transmission, it had taken an emotional toll on many people. Some of the psychological impacts of quarantine manifests in exhaustion, detachment from others, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration, anger and low mood.

“Psychological distress due to quarantine should be assisted by a psychiatrist. The psychological effects need to be addressed to make quarantine an effective public health measure and to prevent negative outcomes,” Dr. Daquilanea said.

There are ways an individual can cope during quarantine, namely: staying physically active, hydrated and eating healthy and nutritious food. She also shared Department of Health’s (DOH’s) Quarantime, a 14-day Journal, for all those who are on quarantine which contains activities such as doing reflections, games and arts.

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Kenneth E. Ezpeleta inspired the participants to strengthen their faith in God through his heartwarming lecture on Seeking Spiritual Lift: Positivity, Gratitude and Prayer. In this time of the pandemic, it helps to seek God’s presence in our lives to whom we can anchor our strength.

By quoting some of the most comforting promises written in the Scriptures, Father Ezpeleta inspired and comforted the participants that God will always be there when we needed Him the most. He also shared some of the best advice on how to view confinement in positive ways, namely: acceptance, live in the present, appreciate small things, reframe your situation and find yourself in God.

DENR 6 personnel bravely shared their pandemic experiences, despite feeling shy and a little afraid. Forester Antonio Latoza of PENRO Iloilo shared how he battled with COVID-19 along with his wife at the hospital. “When you are at the hospital, you see all the pain in people’s faces. I saw people die beside me,” he described his harrowing experience.

Sharon Sombrador of Personnel Section detailed how the rising number of COVID-19 infections gave her anxiety which later turned into a state of depression.

For two months, she refused to go near her sons, kept isolating herself, not able to sleep well and she was not able to hug them. She claims having COVID-19 although she does not have it yet. It was only after seeking psychiatric help and was given medication that things turned better for her. When she got infected, she was able to bravely breeze through it.

Meanwhile, Forester June Melissa Garol, chief of the Enforcement Division, shared her recent loss when her dad died. Most of the family members got infected with COVID and when her dad got sick and later passed away, they buried him within 12 hours after dying. The negative swab result came out three days after. Forester Garol recalled the good times with her dad and remained grateful with all the support from her family, friends and co-workers.

The family of Forester Vicente Mellizas, CENR Officer of Guimbal, Iloilo, and Forester Louie Laud, CENR Officer of Belison, Antique were not spared too. Thankfully, both families courageously battled with feelings of isolation by keeping a positive attitude coupled with strong determination to get well.

Administrative Division Chief Ernest C. Federiso conceptualized the online event after hearing Dr. Daquilanea over a radio interview discussing why people are scared off their wits to stay in quarantine facilities. He deemed it is a must to help teach employees how to cope with isolation should it happen. The online event was then made open to other agencies. A flood of positive feedback was received by DENR 6 after the event.

In their heart warming messages, both Atty. Noel C. Empleo, ARD for Management Services and Regional Executive Director (RED) Livino B. Duran reminded everyone that our battle against the pandemic is not over yet, and we needed to protect ourselves by getting vaccinated. “Some people are panicking, some are doubting if COVID is true. We should thank God that we are alive and healthy,” said Atty. Empleo.

“We are in a scary environment and we need to be psychologically, emotionally and mentally prepared to beat and survive COVID,” reminded RED Duran.

In this time of pandemic, it helps to know the government is happy to take care of its workforce and are doing the best it could to protect their emotional and mental health. It is still a long and hard fight. But with all the support given to DENR 6 employees, they are sure to navigate through the daily scenarios with good knowledge and solid confidence they can beat COVID-19. (DENR-6 )