CWC to LGUs: Prioritize stress management for children

MANILA, Philippines — The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) is urging local government units (LGUs) to make stress management programs and services available to children in their localities to help them face the adverse effects of the pandemic and ease into the “new normal.”

“If we adults are stressed out by the effects of this pandemic, our children are experiencing more stress and anxiety. Guidelines should be strongly in place once they are allowed to go out,” said Undersecretary Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, executive director of the CWC, which is a line agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In the recent Talakayang Makabata roundtable discussion, the CWC and Department of Health (DOH) officials said stress management programs and services for communities should be prioritized by LGUs.

The discussion amplified that children are vulnerable to aggravated mental health issues due to circumstances brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the quarantine which keeps them at home all the time.

“As children 15 to 18 years old are now allowed to go out, it is imperative that our local officials strengthen their initiatives and programs to ensure that our children are supported with their physical, emotional, spiritual and mental needs,” said Uy.

She emphasized that social workers and other relevant professionals and paraprofessionals, along with the active involvement of the community leaders through its Local Councils for the Protection of Children/ Barangay Councils for the Protection of Children, are the first line of defense of children against abuse.

They must be able to bridge distressed children to appropriate agencies for suitable interventions, she added.

Talakayang Makabata was the first digital conference hosted by the CWC to launch the celebration of the 28th National Children’s Month this November.