MENTAL HEALTH DESKS SA BAWAT BARANGAY IGINIIT

ALINSUNOD sa itinatakda ng Republic Act 11036 o ang Mental Health Act, dapat umanong magkaroon at ipinagagana na rin sa ngayon ng bawat barangay sa bansa ang kani-kanilang mental health desks.

Ito ang binigyan-diin ni House Committee on People’s Participation Chairperson at San Jose Del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes, kasabay ng panawagan niya sa lahat na tumulong sa pamamagitan na rin ng pagbibigay ng kanilang panahon o anumang donasyon sa iba’t ibang non-governmental organizations gaya ng National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ‘1-800-273-TALK (8255), na tumutugon sa anumang mental health issues.

Ayon sa lady House panel chair, ngayong pa­tuloy na nararanasan ang COVID-19 pandemic, bukod sa pagkakaroon ng hakbang para kontrolin kundi man ganap na puksain ang nasabing sakit, dapat din itong tutukan ng mga local government unit.

“The establishment of mental health desks in the community level is provided for under Section 16 of RA 11036. The issue on mental health should also be given importance given the mental health risks we are all facing in these times of uncertainties both in terms of getting infected and our economic conditions,” ani Robes.

Sinabi ng San Jose Del Monte City congresswoman, na isa ring aktibong mental health advocate, na mismong ang World Health Organization (WHO) ay nagpahayag ng pagkabahala sa patuloy na pagtaas ng bilang ng mga taong tinataaman ng matinding depresyon mula sa masa-mang epekto ng coronavirus,  hindi lamang sa lipunan kundi maging sa bawat indibiduwal.

“More and more people all over the world are experiencing depression due to the impact of Covid-19 which include social isolation, fear of contagion, compounded by loss of income and employment. The WHO announced that there is an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety especially specific population groups such as frontline health-care workers, the elderly, children and adolescents. Experts have also warned that the impact on mental health will be felt much longer than the effects of Covid-19 itself,” aniya.

Dahil dito, hinimok din niya ang bawat miyembro ng pamilya at kahit ang mga magkakaibigan na laging magkaroon ng komunikasyon sa bawat isa. Habang mahalaga rin na ang mga barangay ay makaagapay sa idudulog na mental health problem sa kanila.

“It is important that people know they have someone they can talk to whenever they feel down or anxious. We need human interaction especially in these times but the physical distancing is posing a challenge. That is why this should be a community effort in order to still have that connection in these trying times,” pagbibigay-diin ni Robes. ROMER R. BUTUYAN