By Jhon Aldrin Casinas A barangay in Pasig City on Wednesday (June 24) conducted an online seminar that focused on how to cope with the emotional and mental problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Barangay San Antonio chairman Raymond Lising said the one-hour webinar seeks to give their constituents an idea on how to address emotional and mental health problems such as loneliness, stress, and depression amidst the health crisis. “For more than three months we are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, others are confronting extreme stress, lost their jobs, and businesses, confined at home, living far from their families, struggling financially and among others,” Lising said. “So we came up with this discussion to help vulnerable individuals cope with emotional and mental issues,” he added. According to the village chief, they were the first barangay in Pasig to initiate such a program to help their constituents address the ill-effects of the pandemic on mental health. During the talk, audiences were taught how to maintain emotional and mental wellness and how mental health affects other aspects of someone’s wellbeing. They were also taught on how to find new opportunities in order to help them get back on their feet. The online seminar was broadcast on the official Facebook page of Barangay San Antonio. In a press statement, Lising said the online talk was facilitated by neuroscience expert Carelle Mangaliag-Herrera. In her talk, Herrera emphasized the need to prepare one’s heart and mind before facing their battles in life. She urged them to learn new things and use them in their day-to-day activities. Lising said the barangay is planning to conduct more seminars which will be aired live on social media platforms. “This is a good venue for anyone who needs someone to explain or discuss with them through online their emotional experiences during this quarantine period,” he said.