City addresses mental health issues

AN EMERGING need to fund mental health needs is being addressed.

Baguio City Councilor Joel Alangsab said the final version of the mental health law will be filed at the City Council to enable counseling and eventual treatment for those suffering from the disease.

Alangsab said the new law, co-authored by Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales aims to provide counseling for those in need of medical aid and to enable them to go for treatment.

The city lawmaker said the effort will be a joint task by the government and private sector in the hope to curb the sharp increase of cases of mental health issues.

“We are begging these people (private centers) involved to do it in a free manner muna and I will talk with Mayor Benjamin Magalong to give finding for mental health and for our volunteers, this is an emerging need in the pandemic,” Alangsab said.

Alangsab said an initial funding of P500,000 will be used by the city health office for capacity building as well as the team building and the set - up help hotline for those in need.

Since the quarantine in March, there have been 14 suicides in Baguio City, making mental health a top concern in the mountain city.

In a separate move, Councilor Valdimir Cayabas, in a resolution, is urging national offices of the Department of Education ( DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority ( Tesda) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),

to fast track the integration of mental health education in the curriculum for all learners and earnestly monitor its implementation to ensure the realization of the purpose.

Parents or guardians seeking consultation about managing emotional distress or their children's behavioral concerns may contact SLU Sunflower Child and Youth Wellness Center at 446-5664 or 0915 541 5501.

For other mental health support services, contact the Philippine Mental Health Association Cordillera Chapter Inc. and the BGHMC Psychiatry Mental Health Support and Services through their Facebook ( FB) page.

Helplines are also open in the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, the nearest police station, or call DSWD-Cordillera at 442-7917.