Kalakip: A Short Animation Film about Depression in Young Adults during COVID-19 pandemic

This paper highlights the functionality of producing a 2-Dimensional animation as a visual supporting material to raise awareness about depression. The study explored the significance of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good health and well-being, wherein the discussion emphasized the importance of managing the mental health, particularly raising public awareness about depression among young adults during the COVID -19 pandemic lockdown. The researcher followed the conceptual framework of multimedia production cycle in creating a short-animated film. The creation of story line and visual assets described the notion of depressive disorder for audiences to have a sense of urgency, awareness, and learnings on how the young adult students become vulnerable in depression throughout the pandemic.

I. Introduction

In 2020, the Philippines experienced a rapid outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that becomes a concerning issue in people's daily lives. The pandemic related consequences such as social and economic challenges affect their physical and mental well-being [1]. Depression is one of the serious mental health issues in the Philippines that continuously increase its profound effect specially throughout the pandemic. The lack of public awareness about depression brings a vulnerable impact to the Filipinos [2]. According to World Health Report, young adult students have the most sensitive emotions during the pandemic and usually suffer from depression academically, emotionally, and physically It leads to a result of having a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest to fulfill daily task. These factor causes the victim to experience a severe mental disorder in which they might harm themselves upon the difficulties they have throughout the lockdown season [3]. At some cases, the engagement of young adults to social media is the other way to ease their challenges during the staycation at home [4].