"Education is the key to success." Clearly, it states that only education offers the best privilege we can have in order to succeed later in life. This motto have been present among students as it serves as their driving force to surpass all the challenges they experience. Now that Covid-19 happened, temporary changes in our education system were brought up. Schools and institutions have shutdowned, and home- based learning modalities surfaced. This existing learning system were seen to be damaging the mental health of most Filipino students. It is essential, and most probably the best thing to do, is to consider the barriers that are causing the students to experience declining mental health. With this, students will get help in acquiring good mental health amidst the surrounding issues. Research says that high levels of mental health are associated with increased learning capabilities, creativity, and productivity.

Purpose of our petition:

      “Mental health is equally important as physical health” The covid-19 pandemic caused a big impact to students because of the abrupt changes of the world. Students are struggling to cope with the new system of education and it seems that they are having a hard time dealing with it. Raising awareness about the mental health of students during pandemic is very important nowadays to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, promote help seeking behaviors, emotional well-being practices, and to lower the increasing suicide rate that will prevent young people from taking their own lives, and through conducting individual education or outreach programs to give them advice or solution on how to deal with their problem.

Description of our petition:

      Students, as well as teachers face major adjustments during this time. Traditional face-to-face classes are postponed as it will lead to sudden surge of Covid-19 cases, according to President Rodrigo Duterte. But with this sudden adjustment, students struggles to take online classes. Issues such as poor internet connection, lack of resources, and independent learning are the things that stresses out these students. The first thing that needs to be acknowledged are the issues that contributes to the poor mental health of students. Secondly, solutions of each issues mentioned should be formulated. The government should participate in providing the needed resources such as gadgets, to students who are lacking it. Third is to organize a program that will help students primarily assess their declining mentality. And help them cope up with stress. This situation has been considered as the new normal.

      Thank you for all your support, we are grateful to have all of you behind us and to know that there are lots of people who are there to help in raising awareness about mental health of students during pandemic.