Iriga: Mental Health is a universal human right – Albay Health Office

The Provincial Health Office has reiterated the importance of mental health during their segment in the Albay Capitol in Action aired via Albay PIO Net TV.

Program host, Kristin Renee Palacio, Mental Health and Dangerous Drugs Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program Coordinator from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) stressed the importance of prioritizing mental health with the recently concluded National Mental Health Awareness Week last October 10 to 14, 2023.

Mental Health concerns are as common as people refuse to acknowledge it, and statistics from 2022 has shown that at least one (1) out of five (5) adults are experiencing mental health problems, which Palacio backed-up by saying, “It is more common than you think. It is as important as your physical health.”

At present, roughly 63% of Filipinos believe in the criticality of mental health issues especially this year, where the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) has raised the alarm over the arising mental health crisis in the Philippines, which is further backed with a statement from the Department of Health stating approximately 3.6 million Filipinos are suffering from mental, neurological, and substance use disorder.

With the alarming surge of mental-health related issues in the country, Palacio urged and advised people to never be ashamed of seeking professional help, recognizing the ever-present stigma against mental health problems, saying, “Kumunsulta po sa ating mga mental health professionals. Huwag po tayong mahihiya humingi ng tulong.”

In line with this, PHO endorsed the use of the Department of Health and USAID RenewHealth Project’s Lusog-Isip application, the first ever mobile app in the Philippines for mental health wellness, substance abuse control and self-care that is culturally-adapted for Filipinos, which uses evidence-based screening that supports mental health needs of the users by delivering self-help tools and mental health resources.

Palacio also encouraged people to reach out to known organizations through their Facebook pages like Mental Health Pilipinas, Mental Health PH, the Albay Provincial Health Office and NCHM, while also citing websites like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Lusog-Isip, Mental Health PH, and Healthy Pilipinas.PH.

(Source:  Albay PIO)