by Claire Daiynes V. Pama with reports from Vien Alyza Rose P. Ponciano
Online career and mental well-being support services, offered by the Commerce Career and Counseling Center (CCC), will be continuously available to students well after government-imposed restrictions on travel and mass gatherings are lifted.
Illustration courtesy of freepik.com
Students can contact their respective counselors through their official UST email addresses to schedule an appointment. Scheduled sessions will be closely coordinated with the UST Health Service for possible referrals.
In an email exchange with the Commerce Journal (CJ), Commerce Guidance Counselor, Mr. Altheo Patrick I. Alvarez emphasized that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can cause harmful effects to a person's mental health and can be overwhelming if not handled well. "The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak (e.g. isolation, social distancing, financial burden) can be extremely overwhelming and can cause harmful effects on one’s mental health," he explained.
Several Commerce students addressed the stress and anxiety brought to them by the pandemic and the sudden change from traditional class to an online setting. Ma. Kristina Mickaela B. Salvador (1E2) shared that she sees the benefit of online classes for her because she can find more time for self-reflection. "[I] want to check [with] myself first kung ready na ako or not. Honestly, the only benefit of online classes is sometimes you give time [for] yourself," Salvador stated.
Meanwhile, Joliveth Soliarte (1E2), found her continuous communication with her college friends helped her mentally cope well during online classes and quarantine period. “Having [my friends] to talk to, who also [shared] the same stress and pressure, helped me to not [lose] track [of myself]. Friends are meant to [uplift] each other and I’m thankful to be in a circle who [looks after] each one’s mental health," Soliarte said.
Lastly, Anaice Robeniol (1FM3) also expressed her concerns about the limitations of an online class setup for the upcoming semesters. “[P]riority naman talaga [namin ang] studies [namin], kaso sa panahon ngayon parang mahirap siyang (online classes) i-pursue…[dahil ang dami niyang] limitations ....may mga bagay na dapat talaga face-to-face na tinuturo pero [kaya] minsan parang nagiging self-study na lang,” Robeniol explained.
The CCC also aims to educate the students of ways that they can look after their well-being to reduce the amount of stress that they are experiencing. Some self-care plans and coping strategies are promoted on their official Facebook page which can be found here.
The CCC’s virtual support services were made available online in compliance with the University’s continuity plan on March 21, 2020. Commerce Guidance expressed its commitment to serve the students online. "We have embraced the ‘new normal’. In doing so, the Thomasian counselors will remain committed and will continue to work with the university in providing the necessary support to the students," Mr. Alvarez said.
Comments