BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The City Health Services Office (CHSO) stepped up its campaign on mental health as suicide cases recorded in the city increased.
The CHSO expressed alarm over the increase in the number of suicide cases recorded at the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. As of August 2023, the unit was able to record 26 suicide cases, compared to the 22 cases recorded in 2022.
From said number, 15 were residents of Baguio City and 11 were from other provinces. Of the said number, six (6) were aged 15-19.
"Very alarming kasi ang taas, August pa lang ito, we have 26 na," Nurse Cyra Policarpio of the CHSO said.
Policarpio noted that of the 26 cases, 21 of them were males. She suggested that this might be explained by the characteristics of men who are not expressive about their emotions or their struggles. For this reason, they also stress the value of self-expression in their lectures.
"Every awareness lecture namin, lagi naming sinasabi, it's okay to cry kasi kahit lalaki ka, nasasaktan ka rin. It's okay to open up your feelings to others who you trust," Policarpio said.
To further advocate mental health, the CHSO continuously enhances its awareness campaigns and psychoeducation. They conduct health promotion drive and lectures on mental health on invitations from different line agencies, private sector, the academe and barangays, she added.
The CHSO also continues to promote community mental health through the training of community health workers on the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). This is a training program developed by the World Health Organization for primary care practitioners in non-specialized settings as an intervention in the treatment and management of mental, neurologic, and substance use disorders and adapted for use in the Philippine context.
Those who need someone to talk to may reach the Baguio CHSO Mental Health and Wellness Unit through 0919-069-6361 or the National Center of Mental Health 24 Hours Hotline 0917-899-8727; 0966-351-4518; or 0908-639-2672. (DEG)
