More
than 40 clinical case clients received free proper intervention and support
through Iloilo City’s RAISE (Raise Awareness, Intervene, Support & Empower)
Mental Health Program in August and September this year.
Ret. Police Major Dorothy Joy J. Bolivar, Registered Psychologist, and RAISE Mental Health Unit Team Head, said that this is alarming considering the program just began in late July of 2024.
“Among
our cases are panic disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar, or having suicidal
thoughts, and most of our clients experienced trauma. Having these 40 clinical
cases is alarming,” she said.
The
Iloilo City Emergency Responders (ICER) recorded 28 suicide cases in 2022 and
two cases in 2023.
“These
are reported cases only; we expect that there are more unreported cases,” the
mental health unit’s psychologist said.
Bolivar,
however, expressed hopes as the city now streamlines comprehensive and
accessible strategies to help address the mental health concerns of the
Ilonggos.
“We are
glad that most of our clients can complete their sessions, and we can see that
they are on the road to recovery through this program’s intervention. Padayunon
ta ini para mas madamo pa gid ang aton malab-ot,” she added.
RAISE
Mental Health Program, a proactive advocacy initiative of Executive Assistant
Raisa Treñas, aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and suicide
prevention, provide interventions and support systems for individuals
struggling with mental health problems, empower individuals and community
well-being through various activities that foster a sense of belonging and
connectedness, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and
suicide.
“Our
services are free so that the public has access to mental health services,”
Bolivar emphasized.
The
office offers psychosocial services such as online counseling via the Raise
Mental Health Iloilo Facebook chatline, via e-mail at
Raisementalhealth.ilo.ph@gmail.com, or the Mental Health Hotline No.
09685663131.
In-person
services are available at the RAISE Mental Health Clinic on Iloilo City Hall’s
ground floor. This accessible clinic offers stress debriefing and marital
counseling and has peer and family support networks.
The
office recently rolled out its psychoeducation efforts through mental health
talks and activities in Barangays Bo. Obrero and Hipodromo on October 10 and
13, respectively, and are set to be rolled-out across all 180 barangays in
Iloilo City.
“If we
have critical incidents, like the recent residential fire in La Paz, we carry
out stress debriefing,” Bolivar added.
The
mental health team is working with the city government’s emergency response
team as well as with various schools and universities and private and
non-government organizations.
“Mental
health is just as important as your physical health. We need a mind-body-soul
balance. Prioritizing our mental health is important so that we can forge good
relationships with others and be productive members, not only in our respective
jobs and families, but also within the society,” Bolivar said. (Pearl
Socias/Iloilo City PIO)