Perspectives on mental health promotion alongside virtual teaching-learning engagements in the College of Pharmacy, University of the Philippines Manila

Abstract

COVID 19 pandemic altered how people work and study. The unfamiliarity to the sudden shift to virtual/remote platforms particularly in the teaching-learning process brought poor mental health in the academe. Constituents of the College of Pharmacy in the University of the Philippines Manila is no exception. The College promoted mental health among its constituents-students, faculty, and staff, through facilitated/supervised self-care, where the usual manner is an individual kind. The approach to the management of stress was holistic to better support the current mode of teaching-learning which uses the virtual platform. Both the initiatives of faculty members and the activities offered by the administration of the college received positive responses and favorable outcomes from the participants. Further studies on the effects of the offered programs and initiatives may result in more regular events and inclusion to the Pharmacy curriculum, respectively.