Calanog further explains, “It’s either sila mismo ‘yung tumitingin sa pasyente or minsan bumababa kami na may kasamang psychiatrist from the Quirino Memorial Medical Center and the National Center for Mental Health para mag-supervise. Kasi minsan, kahit trained ka na mayroon pa ring mga agam-agam to diagnose whether this is really a mental health situation.”
To further capacitate health workers in addressing the mental health gap in the region, the DOH said they will also conduct post training supervision in the community.
“[Starting] the first quarter next year, we will conduct post training supervision to see if the Municipal Health Officers are practicing the mental health gap. We also need the masterlist of patients for the allocation of psychotropic drugs.”
Calanog believes that although mental, neurological, and substance abuse literacy among the general public is improving, patients are still hesitant to seek professional health due to stigma.
“They are ashamed to seek professional help, in fear that they will be judged. Although times have changed, and mental health is freely discussed, stigma [on the issue] still exists.” Calanog said.
Health institutions have reported around 2,015 cases of mental health disorders in the region, with Laguna Province recording the highest number of reported cases with 764, followed by the provinces of Quezon (509), Cavite (278), Batangas (243), and Rizal (222). (PB)
