‘HELP IS HERE’: First mental health summit in Iloilo

THE Central Philippine University Republic (CPUR) hosted the first Iloilo Mental Health Summit, “Pag-Amliganay”, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium of CPU in Iloilo City, Sept 21, 2018.

Pag-Amliganay was the pioneering initiative of the office of CPU Republic President John Michael Suelo.

Suelo said that the concept stemmed from the alarming cases of suicide, especially in the city of Iloilo.

The first speaker was Councilor Candice Tupas, who introduced the science of mental health while Dr. Jo Jan Paul Peñol shared his journey in overcoming mental health issues through healthy lifestyle.

On the spiritual aspect, Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian shared God’s grace on difficult situations.

Prof. Raphah Cortel, on the other hand, talked about the art of reaching out and how to properly address mental health conditions.

Dr. Raymond John Naguit also talked about the role of youth in the mental health advocacy.

Part of the Summit was the “Pagtuad: stories of struggle and survival” featuring individuals who have gone through mental health challenges.

The highlight of the event was the speech of Senator Risa Hontiveros on the passage of Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Act of 2018 which she authored in the Senate.

World Health Organization (WHO) data showed that globally, one person dies of suicide every 40 seconds or over 800,000 persons every year.

Suicide has been one of the leading causes of death among 15 to 44 years old, and the rate of suicide has alarmingly rose to 60 percent globally in the last 45 years.

Locally, based on the Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS), Western Visayas posted the third highest number of cases of suicide by hanging in the 3rd quarter and first in the 4th quarter of 2014; first in the 1st and 2nd quarters, and 3rd in the 4th quarter of 2015; and third in 2Q and 4Q of 2016.

To raise public awareness on suicide and its prevention, the Department of Health (DOH), together with the World Health Organization, and Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, launched Hopeline, a 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, late last year.

Hope-line may be reached at (02) 804-4637; 0917-5584673; and 2919 for Globe and TM subscribers.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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