DepEd pays attention on mental well-being of children amid the pandemic

During a Laging Handa press briefing yesterday with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar and Undersecretary Rocky Ignacio and Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the Department of Education (DepEd) will look into the reported COVID-related suicide of a child learner.

Photo credit: bussinessmirror.com.ph

We have to look into the underlying triggers to find if it is COVID-related,

she said.

Briones emphasized that an analysis of the reported incident should be done by an expert.

DepEd public affairs service director June Arvin Gudoy confirmed that the case last June 16, 2020 referred to an incoming Grade 9 student in Sto. Domingo town, Albay province reportedly killed himself by hanging inside a small hut near their home in Brgy. Fidel Surtida due to the expenses for his online classes.

The victim’s mother claimed that her son had been complaining about the expenses for network loads or internet fees for online class in an interview with local radio reporter.

The victim previously saved a friend from committing suicide a week earlier the incident. Thanks to him his friend survived.

As soon as the department learned the incident, they notified the Schools Division Superintendent of Albay, and requested her to speak with the family of our learner as well as conduct a validation of the circumstances relative to the incident.

While the department looks into the reported suicide case, Briones pointed out that DepEd is also mindful of the emerging challenge of general anxiety and fear of uncertainty of the future in view of life in the new normal that is pervading the entire education sector, which covers learners, parents, teachers and even the department’s bureaucracy.

DepEd had begun with providing psychosocial counseling which is primarily delivered online or via webinars. Briones noted that there are many factors that may cause anxiety and worries among individuals. 

She admitted that the parent’s role in the department's Basic Education - Learning Continuity Plan is larger because children will be learning inside their homes.