Are The Kids Alright? The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Filipino Children In Selected Cities in Metro Manila

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the wellbeing of children and adolescents in theNational Capital Region (NCR). The region which cites the greatest number of cases and records thelongest lockdown in the country has imposed strict health protocols, including the age restrictionson the mobility of children and adolescents. This prolonged period of staying at home has blurredthe boundaries in the lives of children and adolescents, making it challenging for them to balancemultiple stressors. Save the Children Philippines commissioned the Psychosocial Support and Children’sRights Resource Center (PSTCRRC) to determine the impact of the pandemic on the mental healthandpsychosocial wellbeing of children and adolescents. The study identifies the stressors, issues, needs,and ways of coping with the pandemic. It also recommends intervention points for the state, family andparents, peers, and the larger community to support and protect the mental health and wellbeing ofchildren and adolescents.