Mental health matters

(Exercise 2 -EDS 113) Mental health really matters, in the current state of the world we live in, our group found this topic relevant now more than ever. The pandemic has brought about a sense of hopelessness and isolation in Filipinos. Mental illness may go undetected, not just in high school students, but also in their teachers. 

Initially, it may seem that working from home, conducting online classes or preparing modules are easier than being in a face-to-face class. However, having been in this quarantine situation for more than a year now has changed the educational landscape from what educators are used to. Teachers are also susceptible to depression and anxiety. It may be exacerbated by being away from coworkers or the stress of worrying about their family members getting sick. 

Being in the teaching profession is more taxing than it seems. Particularly at this time of the pandemic, where working hours are blurred as one's home becomes a classroom of sorts. Aside from checking students' tasks, dedicated teachers continue to revamp their curriculum in order to fit their learners' needs. Educators are designers who continuously modify and alter their instructional strategies. They have to spontaneously think on their feet, making crucial decisions daily. Teachers who are committed to their profession revise their activities and are sharp in choosing if traditional or alternative assessment best fit a given topic. They don't conveniently rest on their laurels by making use of the same curriculum year in and year out. They are critical thinkers who reflect and improve on their practice. Efficient educators make sure that objectives are aligned with instruction and assessments. They keenly observe their class while doing their best to manage student behavior. 

With all this workload and stress though, Filipino teachers do not have the same access to literature, medicine or free healthcare as their Western counterpart. Due to misconceptions, Filipinos are still in the dark from the benefits of psychological, social, and mental health care. Teachers in particular, may be afraid to seek out help, worried that they will be judged for what they are going through. In these dark times, educators should also receive the same amount of attention to have a healthy frame of mind, so that they can do their work properly. As people who deal with the minds of the next generation, their mental health is on top of the list to be equipped in preventing or overcoming such conditions. Not only do they have access to student learning outcomes, but they directly influence the men and women who will lead the nation into the future.

I hope that this exercise that our group has engaged in could not only shed a light on assessment frameworks for adolescents, but could also be used in real people, real educators who could benefit from having a healthy mind. These mental health matters affect both students and most especially their teachers. In doing this activity, I feel blessed to be working with teammates who are mental health advocates. Their enthusiasm and educational background set the tone for this activity in our group, helping us to finish our work successfully. I hope that our output goes deeper and will be useful in the near future. The non-traditional assessments proposed in this exercise are helpful and functional in equipping Filipinos to face the challenges brought about by these uncertain times.

*Photos are from Freepik using my premium account.