Davao City LGU offers psychological intervention to parents and children

Ms Gina Molon, in charge of the Pre-Schoolers and Children’s Concern Division of the Davao City Social Welfare and Development Office, said the Covid-19 pandemic is also taking a toll on the social and mental well-being of people, especially of children.

Providing psychosocial services is one of the programs of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to assist people to maintain good mental health.

Molon said there are social workers available to receive concerns children affected by the pandemic.

She urged parents to contact their office for assistance. The CSWDO and Department of Health (DOH) hotlines that provide Psychosocial Support Services for parents and children are: 0977 654 2245, 0961 075 7968, 0977 760 8610, 0956 815 1493, 0939 768 3267, 0951 516 5630, 0933 404 1070 and 0933 404 1072.

Molon lamented the effect of the pandemic on both the physical and psychological aspect of children staying at home.

“Children tend to develop anxiety and restlessness especially when confined inside the home. Due to limited movements inside, some children stop doing things that they normally do,” Molon said.

She emphasized the need for the children to have an outlet to interact so they do not suffer from the psychological effects of being home-quarantined.

“Kinahanglan ni makita karon sa mga parents. Ang atoang mga bata karon, because they are restless, and they have experienced anxiety, nagiging dependent sila sa adults, kung unsay ihatag sa parents. Since they cannot get out, they cannot go to school, so ang pinaka-strength ug pinakaginahugutan ug ginatan-aw karon sa mga bata are their parents (Parents need to pay attention to their children. Our children are restless and they have experienced anxiety, they become dependent on their parents. Since they cannot get out, they cannot go to school, so their strength is coming from their parents),” she added.

Molon urged parents to provide their children with activities at home to develop their sense of responsibility and ease their boredom and anxiety.

“For instance, gardening. Dili lang si Mama or si Papa. You can let your children participate. Pwede pud gamayng pag-silhig. Let your children get involved with household chores nga kaya lang nila and they will enjoy that kasi ilang energy is na-emit didtoa sa pagsilhig, pag-gardening. Allow them to explore, hayaan nato sila (For instance, gardening. It is not only Mama or Papa. You can let your children participate. They can also sweep the floor. Let your children get involved with household chores and they will enjoy that since their energies are being used through sweeping and gardening).”

Some of the simple but fun activities that can be done inside the home are board games, family reading, watching educational shows; teaching children life skills like folding clothes, sweeping the floor, basic sewing, among others; arts and crafts activities to develop their creativity or even making use of inflatable pools to at least make them feel the summer at home.

It is suggested that the children know the current situation by giving them correct information about the pandemic. Teaching them how to wash their hands and maintaining cleanliness to avoid getting sick is also essential.

Children also need to know the importance of staying at home for their safety under the care of their parents. CIO