Heartbreak may lead to mental health conditions, group warns

Individuals experiencing painful heartbreaks are prone to developing mental health condition should their situation be left unmanaged, a network of health advocates warned Friday.

According to the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), persons who are mending broken hearts whether from a break-up, grief, regret, or loss are experiencing “unbearable emotional pain” and those who have difficulty in managing distress are more susceptible to developing depression and anxiety disorder.

"Emotional distress can be overwhelming especially to youth and young adults. When left disregarded and with unavailable support, symptoms of mental health conditions may develop,” said Alyannah Lagasca, national chairperson of Youth for Mental Health Coalition.

“Worst case scenarios are inflicting self-harm or committing suicide, which we wish to prevent through better self and community care and improved service delivery," she added.

Lagasca cited preliminary findings from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) by the UP Population Institute which showed young Filipinos aged 15 to 24 who felt depressive symptoms doubled from 2013 to 2021, while youth who attempted to commit suicide climbed from 3% to 7%.

The study also found 62% of youth who felt depressed did not reach out to anyone at all, and only 2% sought help from a professional even when interventions were at arm’s reach.

In healing from the pain, the mental health advocate advised those experiencing heartbreak to not be scared of seeking professional help and to prioritize self-care habits.

"Stay connected with family and people you feel loved, cared for, and supported, spend some time in peace and calmness, touch on your faith, write in your journal, travel, engage in any activity of interest, and find time to get to know you. This way you can at least ease the mind and the heartache," she added.

Data from the National Center for Mental Health showed it received around 7,500 calls on its crisis hotline from individuals aged 18 to 30 in 2021, with love or relationship problems as the 3rd most common reason.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization reported in 2019, 301 million worldwide suffered from  anxiety disorder, where 58 million are children and adolescents. While, 280 million people are living with depression, including 23 million children and adolescents.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News