ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) - The Department of Health (DOH) underscores the importance of not only addressing physical health but also prioritizing mental well-being. As cases rise, the DOH encourages individuals to recognize and tend to their mental health needs.
DOH 9's strategy for the year centers on elevating awareness about mental health, adopting a multi-sectoral approach. Through initiatives spanning diverse settings like workplaces, schools, and communities, the DOH aims to address mental health issues among high-risk groups.
Recent data from DOH 9 shows that for the year 2022, a total of 10,545 outpatients and 208 inpatient cases were recoded in Zamboanga City Medical Center Department of Psychiatry. Meanwhile in 2023, there are 3 recorded suicide cases and 5 suicide attempts in Zamboanga City.
As the new year begins, instead of difficult resolutions, every individual is encouraged to focus on small, positive changes for one's mental health. In 2024, the Department of Health 9 is launching activities and initiatives to address mental health challenges and improve overall well-being in the region, specifically with the youth.
As we turn the page toward 2024, Dr. Erica Mae Piedad-Jamanula of DOH 9 gave some helpful tips to renew our commitment to self-care and managing our mental health by having someone to talk to, trying to relax and reduce stress, taking a break if we need to.
Dr. Piedad-Jamanula said it is not just about having the best services at clinics but also about giving everyone the opportunity to be mentally healthy, “your mental health is just as important as your physical health,” she added.
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about mental health and pointed out that the DOH and local government units have many platforms to be able to teach and share important knowledge and skills about being healthy.
“Health isn’t just focused on the physical; it also gives spotlight to mental well-being," she added.
In addition to mental health, the DOH advocates for the adoption of Seven Healthy Habits as part of the initiative to create a healthier Philippines. This health and wellness campaign emphasizes seven essential habits—Move More, Eat Right; Be Clean, Live Sustainably; Get Vaccinated; Don't Smoke, Lessen Alcohol, Say No to Drugs; Care for Yourself, Care for Others; Practice Safe Sex; and Do No Harm, Put Safety First—that contribute to a happier and healthier life. (RVC/EDT/MLE/JQB-GIP/PIA9-Zamboanga City)
