MALAY, AKLAN—As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread, the Department of Health (DOH-6) launched a project that can help ease the anxiety of those undergoing 14-day quarantine in Western Visayas region.

“This aims to promote good mental health support and resilience to those affected,” said DOH-6 Regional Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar, who led the virtual launching of the “quarantime journal.”
An initiative of the DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development Code Team Reintegration Team, the “Quarantime Journal” consists of the day-to-day recommended activities that can be done during isolation period.
“Quarantine should not be boring. It can be enriching and productive,” Convocar said.
Dr. May Ann Soliva-Sta. Lucia, chief of DOH-6’s reintegration team, outlined the recommended activities including religious or spiritual guidance by reading the Bible, the Quran or inspirational quotes.
Other recommended activities are reading a book, listening to music, watching movies, playing a game, or solo exercises such as Zumba.
“If you want to relieve your stress and anxiety, go back to being a child again,” added Sta. Lucia.
During the strict lockdown, Sta. Lucia was one of the foremost advocates of keeping in check the mental health of the people to avoid depression and other problems.
DOH-6 is working to cascade its “Quarantime Journal” to the local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), and the private sector.