Objectives of the Practice
- To provide mental health and emotional support to individuals and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To reduce stress, anxiety, and other psychosocial challenges prevalent in the neighboring communities due to the pandemic.
- To offer educational resources and guidance on coping mechanisms during times of crisis.
The Context
Colleges, as pillars of the communities, have a responsibility to address the mental health challenges. Psychosocial support programs by the college for neighboring communities are deeply rooted in addressing the profound impacts of the pandemic on mental health and well-being. Amid widespread anxiety and uncertainty, the program aims to provide crucial mental health support, reduce stress levels, and equip individuals with coping strategies to navigate the challenges posed by the crisis. By fostering community resilience and solidarity, it seeks to create a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to seek help and support one another. Collaborating with local self government ensures comprehensive support tailored to the specific needs of the community. Psychosocial Support initiatives by our college align with SDG 3. Access to resources and educational materials further strengthens the program’s impact, bridging gaps in mental health services and empowering individuals with knowledge and skills.
The Practice
- Telecounseling and Help Desk: During the covid -19 pandemic the students took part in different telephonic programmes of district administration. And also by collaborating with NGOs and local self government, the staff and students of the College conducted psychosocial support programmes.. The Department of Social Work in association with Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers started a help desk during the lockdown period.
- Community Connect: During the pandemic period, the community was in need of varied support. Therefore, the college conducted community programs such as blood donation and meals on wheels.
- Sensitization Programmes: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the college organized numerous awareness classes aimed at educating individuals about various aspects of the crisis. These classes were conducted in collaboration with NGOs and local self-government bodies. The topics covered in these sessions ranged from understanding the pandemic itself to promoting safety measures such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and hand hygiene. Additionally, there were sessions on the responsible use of mobile devices, likely addressing issues such as misinformation and the importance of reliable sources of information during times of crisis. Furthermore, environmental consciousness was also emphasized through initiatives like tree planting. This holistic approach not only addressed immediate concerns related to the pandemic but also aimed to foster a sense of community responsibility and sustainability among participants.
Evidence of Success
- Telecounseling and Help Desk:
- Karam Thodathe Karuthal and Telephonic Programme: “Karam Thodathe Karuthal” – The student joined a WhatsApp group for quarantined individuals and engaged them through various activities over the phone. Additionally, other students assisted the health department by collecting data on COVID-19 patients and interstate travelers.
- Help Desk for Covid – 19 during lockdown: The students from the Social Work Department engaged in the help desk and provided three phone numbers to the public to contact in emergency and at the time of need during Covid -19 pandemic lock down period. The team was able to manage around 50 calls through the helpdesk. The help desk mainly focused on tele counselling service, Government related help, blood donation, Psycho social support to the needy people.
- Quarantine Call Centre: The students of the Department of Social Work took part in a quarantine call centre of the Health Department. The students need to call 46 persons a day. All of them are in Covid – 19 affected persons or quarantined persons. The students’ social workers took part in the call centre of the district disaster cell and health department.
- COVID 19 – Tele-Counselling- In Collaboration with KCBC: Staff and Students of BVM Holy Cross College in collaboration with KCBC and the Catholic Health Association of India (Kerala Chapter) conducted tele – counseling under the Department of Social Work for people suffering from mental illness during the covid crisis. Covid-19 patients and family members. Children, the elderly, women, people with depression were the participants, Grief Counseling was also provided during the same. The program was initiated from 15th May 2021.
- SANTHWANAM, COVID 19- Tele-Counselling Partnership with Poonjar Grama Panchayat: During the Covid-19 pandemic, with the emphasis on mental health, a free tele-counseling service was started in the Poonjar Grama Panchayat for the Covid positive patients and those under surveillance under the project titled Santhvanam.
- COVID 19 – Tele-Counselling in association with Meenachil Grama Panchayat: During the Covid-19 pandemic, with the emphasis on mental health, a free tele-counseling service was started in the Meenachil Grama Panchayat for the Covid positive patients and those under surveillance. covid patients and family members. Children, the elderly, women, people with depression were the participants, Grief Counseling was also provided during the same.
- Community Connect:
- Blood Donation program during Covid-19 pandemic: The students from the Social Work Department involved in the blood donation in different hospitals in Kottayam district in association with KAPS Kottayam, Blood Donors Forum. There were 15 students who donated blood during the covid -19 situation , when the shortage of blood donors occurs.
- Meals on Wheels: Packet meals and bottled water distributed to the destitute and patients in General Hospital, Pala during Covid-19 pandemic by Department of Social Work, BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal in collaboration with Janamaithri Police, Pala on 01-06-2021. The program was enacted based on Sustainable Development Goals 2 which aimed at promoting ‘Zero Hunger’ among the population.
- Covid-19 Screening Test: Covid-19 Screening Test was conducted near Piravom Private Bus Stand in collaboration with Taluk Hospital under the leadership of Piravom Municipality. The camp was organized with the aim of conducting free antigen testing for as many people as possible.
- Sensitization Programme:
- Akalakunnam Panchayath – KARUTHAL: In Akalakunnam Panchayath three social work students conducted a webinar about `How can we make online class interesting, lost college life’ led by Rani P Eliyas, Abin Mathew, Alphy Mary Jose, Alan Tomy, Nevin Varghese on 02-07-2021. 40 students of St. George’s GU HSS Puthuppally and students from our college attended the webinar..
- Piravom Municipality – COVID 19 Awareness: The social work trainees actively participated in the Covid -19 related activities in the municipality. They took care of the palliative care activities associated with Govt.hospital. Patients and other inpatients registered with Palliative Care in Piravom Municipality are vaccinated at their homes. The operation involves a team of medical officers, nurses, Asha workers and social work trainees.
- Vijayapuram Grama Panchayat: The Social Work students of BVM Holy Cross College, Cherpunkal, in association with Vijayapuram Grama Panchayat conducted an online webinar for parents and children on the topic ” Deadly Games (Children and Mental Health) ” On July 17 2021, at 7:30 pm via google meet.
- Mutholy Grama Panchayath: Mutholi Grama Panchayat in association with the College, Cherpunkal conducted a webinar online on 11/07/2021 at 7 pm on the topic of Online Class and students. The class was taken by Retired Kozhuvanal Sub-District Education Officer Smt. Prasannakumari C.T. Mutholy Grama Panchayat President Shri. Ranjith G Meenabhavan presided over the meeting. In the online classes, the issues of stress experienced by children and how parents can help their children were discussed.
- Karuthal -Athirampuzha Panchayath: The college had conducted an online Covid-19 awareness class on 28th June 2021. The class was inaugurated by the Athirampuzha Panchayath President Sri. Biju Valiyamala. The Resource Person was Dr. Muhammed Sudhir. He had given an informative class about the covid virus awareness and also he gave detailed information about vaccines and its importance.
- Recognition from KAPS: Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers has given a token appreciation for the IEC dissemination for “Break the Chain” camping against the Covid-19.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required
Several community engagement programs were scheduled; however, the surge in COVID-19 cases hindered students from participating. Moreover, numerous students were impacted by COVID-19 during this period.
