As the country celebrates “National Mental Health Week” this second week of October amidst the devastating effects of COVID-19, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) urges the public: “Remember to be kind, be a good human.”
In a statement, the CHR said that the campaign slogan for the “International World Mental Health Day” is “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality.”
The CHR, through Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia, said the slogan “highlights the need for increased accessibility of mental health services for every individual as the world battles the COVID pandemic.”
De Guia said that COVID has major impact on people’s health. She cited the slowdown in global economic output, massive layoffs in industries, increased unemployment, and threats to individual’s lives and livelihood.
“Equally concerning are the reports from the National Center of Mental Health on the increasing calls from young adolescents to their crisis hotline,” she noted.
She said: “It is incredibly hard to offer words of comfort when one is personally afflicted with challenges in unprecedented times like this. But in our own way, let us try to make a difference by taking care of ourselves and others. In times of a national crisis, there is an increased need for patience and understanding from each one of us to another.”
“As we weather this pandemic, we have one simple request to the public in these times—remember to be kind, be a good human,” she stressed.
At the same time, the CHR paid tribute and expressed full support to the passage of House Bill No. 9980 that seeks to establish the country’s first mental health clinic.
“This is a positive and welcome news in line with this year’s Mental Health Day slogan of accessible mental health care for all,” she said.
The CHR said:
“If you or anyone you know needs help, the Department of Health, through the National Center for Mental Health, has a national crisis hotline to assist people with mental health concerns. The hotline can be reached through the following numbers: Globe and TM: 0917-899-8727 and 0966-351-4518; Smart and Sun: 0908-639-2672; and Toll-free Luzon-wide hotline: 1553.