CEBU CITY -- Childlink Learning Center and High School Inc. and Zonta Club of Cebu City II joined hands to conduct a webinar on October 16 with Karen Espiritu, a life coach and training facilitator on caring for one’s wellbeing and their advocacy of ending child marriages as issues for discussion.
A survey conducted on the psychological impact
of the pandemic here in the Philippines showed that 13.4 percent of the
respondents experience moderate to severe stress levels. Those affected include
students and the youth.
Survey results said that prolonged home-stay and reports of poor health status as well as unnecessary worry, concerns for family members, and discrimination were among the causes with greater psychological impact of the pandemic and higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
To address any adverse effects of the pandemic, Childlink Learning Center and High School Inc. and their students participated in the webinar that focused on how one can take care one’s self, Maria Theresa Tio, Childlink managing director and president explained.
She urged participants to make a gratitude list of the things they have so that they could recognize their blessings, cherish these and be thankful for it. Being physically active reduces negative thoughts and improves cognitive function, Espiritu noted.
Espiritu also encouraged the participants to learn new things and new skills so that their minds would not dwell on the pandemic and how it has affected them. Acquiring new skills and knowledge can also help open opportunities for each person in the future
Espiritu also stressed the importance of
continuous connection and interaction with their loved ones so they could form
positive relationships that could provide comfort, strength and support. Finally,
by being generous, giving to others and sharing with others as much as they
can, are ways of dealing with the stress brought about by the pandemic. By doing so, one can develop a sense of reward
as well as spread positivity.
Sachi Lozano, an 18-year old advocate, joined the webinar to introduce the Adversity Archive, an online publication and a youth organization that focuses on stories of adversity of Filipinos that aims to bridge the marginalized with those who have the desire to learn about them and can help.
Based on the reaction papers of written by Childlink students, they admit that the pandemic has affected them. The webinar helped them realize that they have much to thank for in their lives. Students also recognize that there are things that they can do to minimize the stress and anxiety brought about by the pandemic.
Another webinar on October 23 organized by Zonta Club of Cebu II in collaboration with the Z Club of Childlink High School Cebu featured the topic on Child Marriage entitled "No Time to Lose: End Child Marriage Now" in observance of the United Nations Day.
The UN Day activity featured We Are Girls, Not Brides Video while chosen members of the Childlink Z Club presented three stories of different child brides in different parts of the world.
The webinar also featured a lyric video on Ending Child Marriage that was made by the Grade 9 Z Club of Childlink members.
According to a post on the Philippine Commission on Women website, 15 percent of Filipino girls are married before their 18th birthday and two percent are married before the age of 15.
The UNICEF also reported that the Philippines has the 12th highest absolute number of child brides in the world at 726,000.
Tio explained that Childlink has been promoting awareness among their students on societal issues. “This is one of the highlights in our curriculum,” she said.
On the campaign against child marriages, Linkers help by disseminating information on child marriages. High School students made a lot of infographics to describe what child marriage is and this advocacy on Ending Child Marriage was launched by the Z Club of Childlink in October 2020.
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