NOW IS THE TIME TO TALK ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR TEACHERS

A wellness check online series aired an episode that focused on our educators

- JULES VIVAS

In this pandemic, every day is a challenge, which is why it is important to promote kindness, to try to understand one another, and to extend a helping hand whenever possible.

Mental health is among the major issues we are faced with, especially among the youth and those already afflicted with or predisposed to mental disorders. Considering the impact of this global health crisis on the education sector, it is timely to discuss the mental health of our teachers.

As F. Sionil Jose puts it, the influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom, well into the future. Now that our educators need help, it is up to us to make sure their future holds.

A grade school teacher at the Zamboanguita Central Elementary School in Negros Oriental, Rolyn Catanus-Gantalaois among the educators whose career and way of living have been put off by Covid-19. “All of a sudden, everything got cancelled. We were not prepared. It was heartbreaking for us and for kids not to experience things they looked forward to as part of their memories. We felt useless,” she says.

Ronalyn, like most of us, is worried about the future. What happens if she and her fellow educators lose their jobs since there are no classes? “Many felt fear and uncertainty. Fortunately, we were given the opportunity to work, even in a different situation. We felt hope,” she explains.

Keeping their jobs is one thing, but another challenge for teachers is the shift to digital. Some educators are not tech savvy. Many places are without internet service. There is also the spread of fake news on teachers being given a pay cut as parents will have to do most of the teaching under the new setup.