It has been a matter of public knowledge that physical and mental health are intertwining concerns. With a high association between the individuals’ experience of the novel Corona Virus Disease in 2019 (COVID-19) and their psychological distress, mental health experts recognized mental health as a coterminous public health concern with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this journal, a systematic review study pointed out that mental health is the most affected issue concerning implementing governments worldwide adopted policies like staying at home, social distancing and ‘lockdown’ measures. However, we argue that these containment measures could be non-detrimental to mental health when one transforms his or her experience of anxious loneliness into an avenue of practicing meditation as a strategy of mental health self-care.

This article contributes to the emerging literature on gender studies, in general, and on the LGBTQ+ phenomenon, in particular. While the global society recognizes the rights of the third sex, other countries are reluctantly acknowledging while inadvertently stigmatizing LGBTQ+ individuals. Unfortunately, some Filipino same-sex couples were still the target of ridicule, criticism, and prejudice. In this paper, we analyzed via a biographical narrative the relationship dynamics of same-sex Filipino couples confronted with homophobia, heteronormativity, and discrimination. Biographical narratives established an excellent way of making theoretical sense of social phenomena such as gender studies. To do this, we interviewed same-sex couples from the provinces of Western Visayas, Philippines. The results revealed interdisciplinary perspectives that reflected the basis for engaging and maintaining such a relationship. A recurring essence across all identified perspectives that compelled same-sex couples to stay in a relationship was their mutual love. Mutual love becomes a strong driving force that keeps the relationship between same-sex couples all the more substantial while facing heterosexual society's disapprobation. The concepts of love and friendship, by extension, genuine same-sex relationship, when properly understood, can go beyond the border of human instinctual tendencies. Such impartial manifestation of love can extend across cultural differences and eventually build crossroads as avenues of sharing what one has without counting the cost. We recommend the need to further the campaign against homophobic views, albeit providing counseling intervention and psycho-education that help improve the psychological well-being of same-sex couples.   Received: 16 August 2021 / Accepted: 16 November 2021 / Published: 3 January 2022

<p>This research determined the involvement, experiences, and challenges of parents having children with special needs. The narrative inquiry served as the study design, while the interview questionnaire served as the main instrument. Data obtained were transcribed, coded, and analyzed to determine the emerging themes and essence of the study. The results revealed that parents support their children's scholastic activities and allow them to socialize with their peers. Their experiences in raising children with special needs include imposing discipline, teaching them domestic chores, siblings' rivalry, and communication barriers. On the other hand, their challenges include handling situations when their children are experiencing tantrums, feeding, expenses in sending to school, providing instructional materials, discrimination, and bullying. Taking things holistically, it can be concluded that parents of children with special needs immensely involve themselves in all the academic undertakings of their children. They are able to manage the challenges of raising children with special needs and provide them well parental-related care. An implication for practice was designed in hope of helping the parents of children with special needs. Hence, it is recommended that the school adopt the implications for practice and recommendations for parents with special needs so that they can be given foundational knowledge in dealing with their children with special needs.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0968/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

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