THE Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) along with other concerned agencies and government offices is eyeing to have a hotline that can be accessed by people with depression.
CSSDO head Maria Luisa Bermudo on Thursday, November 9, said they found such need since even the Kean Gabriel Hotline, a hotline intended for reports of child abuse, was accessed by individuals who are in need of someone to talk to with their problems.
"Actually atong mga Kean Gabriel diba na train mana sila nga naay magtawag ingon ana nga cases, gina-entertain na sila, ginatagaan jud na usahay (og atensyon), mag-init na na ang ilang dalunggan for the purpose mag-istorya lang sila, daghan nata ingon ana nga cases gina-serve sa kean Gabriel, dapat naa tay hotlines nga ingon ana (Actually our call center agents at Kean Gabriel hotline were trained to receive calls for depression cases. It is entertained and were given due attention, sometimes the calls will take a while for the purpose of just having someone to talk to. We should also have hotlines for the purpose to listen to those with depression)," she said.
She said the council for the welfare of children and groups with health sector, especially the City Health Office led by Davao City Health Officer Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, aims to include teen depression as concern of the youth aside from teen pregnancy.
"We saw that it is very important to have support system within the level of the family within the level of the schools, actually one thing we want to push is the guidance counseling which caters the youth," she said.
Bermudo said the CHO is planning to put up teen centers where teens can go to the area and talk with someone.
She added that the latest incident of suicide of a student showed that students need somebody to talk to, so the schools and the community should be ready.
Bermudo added that as to the Kean Gabriel hotline call takers are trained to determine such cases and she also emphasized that they are the "lifeline" of the callers.
"Support systems and hotline should be accessible to them," she said.
Davao City Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said they are currently working on Mental Health Ordinance which is set to be passed on second reading.