There is a need to address the psychological responses of people in this pandemic. In particular, we are focusing on care for the patients and health workers and their families who are at risk of COVID-19 themselves. The following principles were used in the formulation of this program and were based on an understanding of the Filipino way of thinking, feeling, and responding to crisis:

1. That helplessness and powerlessness are normal reactions and by making people feel the normalcy of such emotional reactions, it brings some sense of control over their life situation.

2. People utilize varied ways of coping despite the uncontrollable situation that the pandemic has brought.

3. The nature of remaining connected to family and friends and peers is essential.

4. The importance of the family as a source of support and in sharing the same grief is paramount.

5. Spirituality, or being connected to a Higher Being, is the single most important way through which people, especially Filipinos, will survive this experience.

6. In this communal grief, we go beyond being depressed, anxious, angry, overwhelmed, and acceptance; and reach a higher level of finding meaning and purpose.

7. Putting a structure, predictability, and regularity to the things that we can still do will facilitate some sense of equilibrium.

8. Immediacy of psychosocial response and its interconnection with well-being.

9. Prompt and accurate updates regarding the pandemic should be disseminated to reach the greatest number to prevent unnecessary panic.

For health care workers, projects include a Resiliency Wall, a closed Facebook group page for frontliners for information dissemination and discussion of COVID 19-related issues; psychosocial care posters with infographics; a psychosocial support hotline for those needing individual counseling/psychosocial support to be manned by consultants of the Department of Psychiatry; psychosocial processing sessions to be conducted for groups of PGH frontline/health care workers, patients, and families online e.g. via zoom; and a Heroes’ Heroes Program to be undertaken by the Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

For patients and their families, a DIY (do-it-yourself) e-module will be provided to address their mental health needs by imparting knowledge and skills that will enhance their coping mechanisms during their hospital stay and after discharge. Mechanisms will be provided through which the patients, families, and healthcare workers can tell their stories.  

Karina Perez | Published in Healthscape Special COVID-19 Issue No. 4