HELPLINES for those suffering from anxiety and depression are open.
Gina Camsol of the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) said since face-to-face consultations are not advised at this time, the therapy sessions of their clients are temporarily suspended.
“However, their consultation with the psychiatrist is continuously done through online or via phone. Usually clients/patients are advised to continue with their medication. The prescriptions of their medicine are issued to them electronically. For new clients/patients, they are also referred to the Psychiatry OPD of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for consultations and prescription. The clients can also avail of the services of the Psychiatry OPD of BGH –MC through online or by phone call,” Camsol added.
Camsol said the PMHA Baguio – Benguet Chapter Inc. is offering it’s free online psychosocial support service, an anonymous support service where our mental health professionals, through chat or phone call, conduct psychosocial debriefing for front liners and counseling for individuals who maybe needing professional help, they may get in touch through (0917)517 – 2083 or send a message to the PMHA Facebook Page so we can attend to their concerns.
PMHA strongly recommends the following mental hygiene practices not only for the clients/patients but to everyone as we experience the Covid–19 pandemic.
This week, Baguio councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales sounded the alarm over the state of mental health for all after a report of a failed suicide attempt of a 20 – year – old female from Aurora Hill thwarted with the intervention of relatives and barangay officials.
Orcales said youth who are anxious think of many things and most of the time they are worried about their safety, their grades, and their parents, if they can be allowed to go home with feelings heightened because of restrictions of the lockdown.
“We enjoin everyone to take this opportunity to take time and focus on caring not only for their physical health but as well as their mental health:
a. Focus on the things that we have control of. Let us do the things that we can do to prevent spread of disease like cleaning our surroundings, fixing old files, taking care of our personal hygiene and staying at home.
b. Remain calm and composed. While it may be difficult for some to maintain composure during crisis, simple mindfulness exercises may help. For example once you start to feel overwhelmed, try to do some conscious breathing exercises. Just focus on your breathing – inhale slowly through he nose to the count of 5 seconds, hold your breath for another 5 counts, and exhale slowly through the mouth to the count of 5 until you feel more relaxed. Remember that our own fear and anxiety may also trigger the same feelings and behaviours among those around us so we have to constantly keep ourselves in check.
c. Digitial Detoxification. Try to minimize the use of gadgets. Try to check your gadgets only at specific times and choose credible sources of information.
d. Talk to someone you trust if the fear and anxiety are too overwhelming that you cannot perform your expected tasks and responsibilities anymore.
e. Share your resources with those who may need it at this time of uncertainty. Sharing is not only giving away something that we own, but being conscious of getting only what we really need so that the others may also get their fair share.
f. Pray. No matter what our religion is, one of the sources of strength that we can draw from is the belief that a Higher Power is still in control.”
Camsol added for psychiatric consultation or prescription patients may go to the Psychiatry OPD of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center or contact them through these numbers (0956) 0069 – 808; (074) 422 – 3809 loc 423 or through Facebook Messenger: BGHMC Psychiatry Mental Health Support and Services. The PMHA National Office is also open for online counseling and psychiatric consultation by sending a message to pmhacds@gmail.com or text message at (0917) 565 – 2036.