Donna Ibay, registered guidance counselor of the Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC), said some of their students, especially those stranded at their dormitories, have sought counseling online because they were experiencing stress, sleeplessness, overthinking, and loneliness. She said that people have different coping mechanisms in understanding the enhanced community quarantine, which is a big change to their daily routines. She told the Manila Times, her online training on distance counseling from the American Counseling Association has been helpful to her. A 20-year-old male student said that he agreed to be interviewed because people should know that online counseling helps in coping with stress. “I have to keep busy to keep my mind off things because over-thinking does not help ease our anxiety,” he added.

Source: Manila Times April 26, 2020 16:52 UTC