THE Philippines is usually tagged as the happiest people on Earth. However, recent statistics have shown drastic increase of suicide cases amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a study that says mental health-related issues in the Philippines have exponentially increased since the beginning of the pandemic. The growing number of suicide cases among the youth with mental health issues is the sad manifestation of the negative effects of the pandemic brought about by a mix of social and biological factors.
In addition, WHO reports that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, over three million Filipinos have been experiencing depression, making it the highest rate in Southeast Asia.
Although there is no direct evidence of consolidated epidemiological data on the current state of mental disorders in the Philippines, a study made by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2010 reveals that over 14 percent or 1.4 million Filipinos with disabilities were identified to have mental health issues. This shows the current mental state of the nation. The current available data recorded by WHO in the Philippines was over 2,000 cases of suicide from 2000 to 2012 with ages ranging from between 15 to 29 years old.
Call for help
Just June this year, a 48-year-old male Covid-19 patient committed suicide in Cebu City as confirmed by the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center management.
These are just of the many cases wherein depression leads to actual suicide due to Covid-19. The Department of Health (DOH) warned about the risk of suicide in this pandemic.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has admitted he also had mental health issues that prompted him to seek the help of a spiritual counselor. He said, "Whether it be a medical professional or a spiritual leader, we need to find someone we can talk to."
Last Monday, August 24, the health department said that it's okay not to be okay during the pandemic. It urged the public to also take good care of their mental health following concerns about the growing number of suicide cases in the country.
The pandemic will cause distress and leave many people vulnerable to mental health problems and suicidal behavior. It is best to consult and ask for guidance to mental health practitioners. To get proper clinical advice from the experts.
The following are free crisis hotlines available nationwide:
* National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline
0917-899-8727 or 79898727
* Philippine Red Cross Hotline
1158
* In-Touch Crisis Line
889-37603/ 0917-800-1123/ 0922-893-8944
For more information, you may also check the Psychological Association of the Philippines' list of centers offering free online psychological services. The NCMH also has a list of mental health resources available at ncmh-is.com/directory.