Seemingly taking the cue from the popular Korean drama in Netflix, both Malacañang and the Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public that "it is okay not to be okay" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire made the statement after the reported increase in suicide cases in the country.

In Monday's Palace press briefing, both Roque and Vergeire reminded the public that there are hotlines that the people can call if they need someone to talk to.

The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline offers 24-hour service to people in the Philippines who are depressed or at risk of suicide. They can be reached through 0917 899 8727 (USAP) or (02) 8989-8727 (USAP).

According to Vergeire, the COVID-19 pandemic is not only taking a toll on the people's physical health but on their mental health as well.

"Ito pong ating mga kababayan na nakakaranas ng (Our fellowmen who are experiencing) fears, anxieties, depression, feeling of hopelessness, and helplessness, maaari po kayong tumawag dito sa mga hotlines natin (you can call our hotlines)," she said.

She added that the DOH has partner institutions like the Philippine Mental Health Association, University of the Philippines Diliman Psychosocial Services, and also Ateneo Bulatao Psychosocial Services that the public can contact.

According to Vergeire, the public should know that it is totally fine if they are not feeling mentally well during the pandemic.

"Ang gusto ko lang po iparating sa ating mga kababayan (What I want to tell the public is that), it’s okay not to be okay. Lahat po tayo nakakaranas ng ganyang pakiramdam ngayon dahil sa sitwasyon na ito (All of us are going through something similar especially with our current situation)," she said.

"Kailangan po 'wag natin i-stigmatize ang disease na ito para po ang ating mga kababayan pagkatapos nila magkasakit ay makabalik sa kanilang komunidad at makapagtrabaho nang maayos (We should not stigmatize COVID-19 so that patients who have recovered can return to their communities and work well)," she added.

Roque, meanwhile, agreed with Vergeire that what a person needs during times like this is support and someone to talk to.

"When I had health challenges myself, I went to my spiritual leader for lots, for many many sessions of counseling," he shared.

"So whether be it a medical professional or a spiritual leader, kinakailangan po humanap tayo ng kausap (we need to look for someone to talk to)," he added.

Over the weekend, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra asked the Catholic Church and other religious organizations to help address the reported increase in suicide cases in the country by providing counseling and guidance to those suffering from depression and anxiety brought about by the pandemic.

According to Caloocan Bishop Pablo David, the Catholic Church is aware of the increase in suicide rates. He said this was one reason why they are presently organizing “health care volunteers” in order to partner with the local government unit and barangays in doing online monitoring of people affected by the pandemic.

In May this year, President Duterte recognized the vital need to provide support to the mental health and well-being of Filipinos during the global health crisis.

He wrote in one of his reports to Congress that the DOH, through various partner agencies and organizations, has started offering free online psychological services for COVID-19 via phone, social media, and other platforms.