Mental health programs needed | Manila times

MORE mental health awareness programs and a separate health subject in primary education are needed to ensure the well-being of students and young people, especially those severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown measures.

This was the subject of discussion among scientists and educators, business and civil society leaders and representatives of local government units (LGUs) gathered at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City, in line with the provisions of the World Mental Health Day on October 10 2024

The event, titled “Global Mental Health: Stronger Together,” was organized by community development organization Lingap Philippines with co-hosts Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park-District 3830, 1986 Summerhouse Publishing, IHope Community and the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (Fapsa) from over 50 member schools represented – all believers and looking at one goal.

Scientists and educators with strong representation of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators, social and civic organizations sign a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of mental health program in their schools during the celebration of World Mental Health Day at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, October 10, 2024 PHOTO SUBMITTED

The speakers cited situations and statistics that indicated the need to strengthen mental health awareness and education in schools, arguing that in high school, health is only part of the Mapeh subject (music, art, physical education and health).

It was noted that while music and art were concentrated in previous curricula and physical education was a separate subject, in the 1960s and 1990s public school students’ health was combined with science.

In the current dispensation, one might mention health in passing, considering MAPE to be more important. However, as the situation has changed, it was felt that it was time for stakeholders to push for a separate topic, emphasizing mental and physical health as well as physical health.

UPPI arrangements

In 2022, the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI), funded by the Department of Health (DoH), released key findings from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5), the fifth in a series of nationwide studies on Filipino youth.

The UPPI study involved 10,949 randomly selected young people aged 15 to 24. The study examined two sets of mental health indicators, namely depressive symptoms and suicidal experiences, which the YAFS study has been monitoring since 2002.

“UPPI found that the proportion of young people who often felt depressive symptoms during the reference week increased significantly between 2013 and 2021, with the proportion of young people who often felt lonely, sad and disliked by other people almost doubling in this period. period. “Incidentally, data collection for YAFS5 was carried out in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which physical and social isolation may have seriously impacted the disposition of young people,” the report said.

“Similarly, the proportion of young people who have ever experienced suicidal thoughts or attempts has more than doubled between 2013 and 2021, and the corresponding proportion among young women is twice that of young men. This reverses the trend observed in 2002–2002. and 2013” – it was written.

“In 2013, over 574,000 or 3 percent of young Filipinos had ever attempted to end their lives. In 2021, this figure increased to 7.5 percent, representing almost 1.5 million young people with this experience,” according to the report.

“Unfortunately, six out of ten people who have ever thought about committing suicide have not contacted anyone about it. The few who did sought help mainly from close friends or peers (25 percent of those with suicidal thoughts), followed by parents/guardians (7 percent) and other relatives (5 percent). Even among people who acted on suicidal thoughts, seeking professional help was highly unpopular (4 percent). Only one out of 10 young adults knows of any suicide prevention program or service. ” – he continued.

“These alarming findings indicate that today’s youth have worse mental well-being than in the last few decades. The reasons for this are many and complex, but in reality there are many challenges, including serious staff shortages, consultation and treatment costs, and the stigma of mental health problems facing mental health care in the country,” it concluded.

Stronger together

Summerhouse Publishing 1986 co-organizer, CEO and executive director Rellyn Nojadera-Luces, a strong supporter of mental health awareness and a 15-year supporter of World Mental Health Day, said collective efforts can stop or at least control teen suicide.

“Be the change you want to see in the world” by Mahatma Gandhi has always been my inspiration. As a community development practitioner for 15 years, I am exposed to social issues at home and abroad. Pressing mental health issues are burdensome and I am blessed enough to have a team that worked with me to organize this event, and I am hopeful that our collective efforts will lead to the change we want to see,” she said.

“Mental health matters. When we work together towards a common goal, we open up opportunities for success that we might not achieve if we worked alone,” she added.

This year’s celebration of World Mental Health Day was based on the 2024-2030 vision of promoting the mental health and well-being of all Filipinos regardless of age, ethnicity, status and religion.

The all-day event featured, among others: Far Eastern University researcher Shiela Marie Hocson, Dr Shiela Marie Hocson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) technical working group on health science institutions; Mario Bermudez of the Department of Education’s Office of Human Resources and Organizational Development; United Nations Association of Philippine National President Ramon Bustamante-Rañeses, Ph.D.; Department of Health Senior Occupational Health Specialist and National Center for Mental Health Consultant Ivanhoe Escartin, MD; Fapsa Secretary General Ernesto Ray Adalem, Ph.D.; National President of the Philippine Council of Muslim Women and President of UNAP Mindanao Chapter Bai Norhata Alonto; PNP Head of the Psychiatric Department of the General Hospital P/Lt. Col. Janette Ballangan Bautista; Deputy Vice President of St. Clare College and Head of Human Resources Jane Angela Adalem; and singer-songwriter and corporate executive-turned-lawyer Jimmy Bondoc.

Eliza Romualdez-Valtos, representing Senator Imee Marcos, delivered an inspiring message following the Statement of Purpose made by Dr. Danilo Carandang, President of the UFM Consumer Cooperative.

Summerhouse Publishing 1986 Chief Operating Officer Christopher Luces and Director of Private-Public Partnership Noel Kristian Espiritu assisted throughout the proceedings.

Bondoc and Bayang Barrios, along with their band Naliyagan, honored the event with their performances.

During the event, several groups and individuals received awards, such as LGU Malolos and LGU Muntinlupa, for planned, local actions in response to mental health issues by passing ordinances and sustainable programs that prioritize mental health.

Signing of the memorandum of understanding between Fapsa and St. Clare College on implementing a mental health program in their schools highlighted this event.