Suicides in the Philippines rose by almost 30 percent in the first quarter of 2022. (Photo: Pixabay)
By Joseph Peter Calleja
June 16 2022
More community-based mental health centers to be set up across the country.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has intensified its fight for mental health services to curb the rising rate of suicide in the country.
The prelates announced on June 14 that parishes would build mental health centers in local communities to provide mental and spiritual accompaniment to those who need them.
The project came as a response to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority stating suicides rose by almost 30 percent in the first quarter of 2022.
“Mental health has become our priority because of the rising cases of suicide in recent months. Our office has called for the establishment of more community-based mental health services in the country,” Camillian priest Father Dan Cancino of the Episcopal Commission on Healthcare said in an interview with church-run Radyo Veritas.
Father Cancino said the commission has renewed its call as part of its mission to take care of its flock.
“Our pastors are very much in touch with our people’s reality and concern today. Mental health is indeed a reality we need to address,” the clergyman added.
“It takes the whole community — the Church, schools, not just the family — to address mental health. It takes a village to raise a child”
Mental heart experts blamed the government’s failed pandemic response that hit the country’s economy.
The latest figures showed that suicide remained the 27th most common cause of death in the country in 2020, especially among those aged 30-40.
An average of 4,383 cases of intentional harm were recorded in 2021, an increase of 854 from 2020, according to government figures.
The bishops called for parents to reach out to their children and parish priests, especially in cases when their children experience depression.
Father Cancino said some dioceses in the Philippines have built their own mental health centers with volunteers for guidance counselling.
“This is a priority project and program where we would want to have more community-based mental health programs,” he added.
An association of mental health experts, however, said the government’s call mirrored the country’s lack of capability to ensure stable mental health care to its citizens
Father Cancino likewise urged dioceses and Catholic schools to include mental health in their programs.
“It takes the whole community — the Church, schools, not just the family — to address mental health. It takes a village to raise a child. Thus, all institutions should prioritize mental health by giving guidance counselling sessions to those who need it,” the priest said.
In 2020, government authorities appealed to Catholic and spiritual leaders in the Philippines to provide counseling and guidance to their followers to address their growing tension and anxiety.
An association of mental health experts, however, said the government’s call mirrored the country’s lack of capability to ensure stable mental health care to its citizens.
The Association of Philippine Psychologists and Psychiatrists said calling for aid from religious institutions was a recognition by the government that it lacked the resources to address mental health issues.
“Our bishops’ advocacy is really admirable, but at the same time it pains us to realize that we need extra mental health centers in local parishes because our government has not prioritized this issue at all,” psychologist Efren Vargas told UCA News. – UCA News
