Muntinlupa offers psychosocial support for patients, frontliners

IN a bid to help local frontliners to destress from heavy workload, the local government of Muntinlupa offers free psychosocial support and mental health services via online and limited face- toface consultations.

The Muntinlupa Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) provides psychological first aid and psychiatric checkup, including psychotherapy for city residents who tested positive for Covid-19, suspect cases, frontliners and those experiencing anxiety and stress during the pandemic.

MHPSS invites city residents who are experiencing fatigue, depression, fear of Covid-19, difficulty in sleeping due to anxiety brought about by stressful situations or having suicidal thoughts to send them a message via Facebook and avail of their free online mental health consultation.

Psychiatric and Mental Health Crisis e-prescription for self-injurious/ and acute amphetamine psychosis, among other related concerns are also available via MHPSS FB page or through Dr. Nicanor Echavez’ Messenger, Viber (0977 277 4402), or email ( echaveznicanor@ gmail. com) Mondays to Fridays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Limited face-to-face check-up for psychiatric consultation is offered at Poblacion Health Center every Wednesday and Friday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The MHPSS Team is composed of a psychiatrist, registered psychometrician, nurses, social workers, a SPED teacher, barangay health workers, and other staff members from the City Government of Muntinlupa.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the city government recognizes the need to support the people’s mental health as fear and anxiety grow from various factors including threat to public health, the implementation of strict quarantine and a wave of social media misinformation.