Mental health takes precedence as PHL observes World Health Day

The Department of Health (DOH) joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in shifting the focus on mental health on World Health Day this Friday, marking the culmination of WHO's year-long campaign to encourage people living with mental illness to seek and get help.

What is depression

Depression, according to the WHO's brief on its "Depression: let's talk" campaign, is "the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide."

It is a common mental illness characterized by "persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that people normally enjoy, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities, for 14 days or longer."

People with depression normally experience several of the following: a loss of energy; a change in appetite; sleeping more or less; anxiety; reduced concentration; indecisiveness; restlessness; feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness; and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Health Sec. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said it is imperative for people to foster an environment keen on the state of others to detect depression, often called an "invisible" illness.

"The health of the individual is also the concern of everyone, not just that individual," Ubial said.

"It is incumbent upon us as a friend, as a relative, as a co-worker, to really be aware of the people around us and to support them in their time of need," she continued. "'Wag yung deadma lang po tayo."

Number of Filipinos with depression

WHO estimated an 18 percent increase in the number of people living with depression from 2005 to 2015 — roughly translating to an increase of 280 to 320 million people worldwide.

The figure for the Philippines is yet to be available, but a statistical report for HOPELINE, the national suicide prevention hotline, showed that the service received 3,479 calls throughout 2016.

Hopeline, the 24/7 national suicide prevention hotline, may be reached at (02) 804-4637; 0917-5584673; and 2919 for Globe & TM subscribers.

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) April 7, 2017

More than half, 1902 calls, were from young adults aged 20 to 39; the next biggest group were adolescents or 12 to 19 with 902 calls; mid-adults or 40 to 64 came next at 534 calls; and the elderly were last at 123 calls.

Females called more than males (2208 to 1271) and most were assessed with having low risk for a suicide attempt (2573) than moderate (597) and high (309) risk.

About 605 confirmed they have depression; 496 needed information on depression and suicide; 479 called due to stress or possible depression; and 300 called for another person.

The most common reasons for calling, apart from these, are relationship problems (199), anxiety (161), suicidal thoughts (153) and crisis (111), family problems (108), and mental disorders (85).

HOPELINE's data is being used in studies currently being conducted by universities and research groups on depression and the causes of depression in the Philippines.

Gov't budget, training, projects

The WHO wrote that poor capital outlay for treatment pins the number of persons who get treatment at 50 percent even in high-income countries.

In the Philippines, spending for mental health increased as the DOH prioritizes the improvement of the 12 big mental health centers around the country and establishment of new centers.

"This year our budget for mental health drugs is P100 million. And the total budget for upgrading and development of out facilities across the country is P1 billion," Ubial said.

Community-based mental health support, piloted in Typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas, are also being scaled up to reach out to more persons with mental illnesses.

General practitioners, psychologists, municipal health officers are also being trained to improve the DOH's human health resources.

"What we're trying to do is to promote community-based treatment for mental illnesses and we're training the frontline health officers, the municipal health officers, and city health officers to actually do the assessment and in some cases, provide the treatment. These are anti-psychotic drugs," Ubial explained.

The Philippines has one psychiatrist per 250,000 people in the country, a far cry from the standard ratio of 1 per 50,000 people.

Societal stigma, costly treatment

Stigma remains a big deterrent for people to seek help, whether it be for depression or neurological conditions such as ADHD or intellectual disabilities.

Ubial urged Filipinos to be more inclusive by treating persons with mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities normally as they can lead regular lives with the proper aid.

"Ang Philippine society, I think, is a stigma-conscious society. Halos lahat ng tao may stigma," Ubial said. "Yan po ay sana ma-erase po natin."

"Be open and be accommodating to people — inclusive," she added. 

Costs shouldn't deter persons from seeking treatment either as PhilHealth covers mental health in their packages.

Tayag: PhilHealth covers fees for consultations with psychiatrists. Members only need to call and inquire about it.

— Rie Takumi (@rie_takumi) April 7, 2017

"Covered na ngayon yun ng PhilHealth. So tumawag kayo, 'wag kayong mangamba. Kaya nga 'let's talk about it', alisin na natin yung stigma," Health Spokesperson Eric Tayag said.

People with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who need anonymous support may reach out through HOPELINE, launched nationwide in 2016 by the DOH, WHO, and Natasha Goulbourn Foundation.

Hopeline may be reached at (02) 804-4637; 0917-5584673; and 2919 for Globe and TM subscribers. — AT, GMA News