Council seeks support for depressed persons

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has urged the executive department to formulate programs for mental health.

Councilor Alvin Dizon pushed for the resolution which it was immediately approved in the recent session of City Council.

The councilor said the city's programs and interventions in this regard are needed especially as many are now facing problems due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and further exacerbated by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette on December 16, 2021.

One of Dizon’s proposals is Help Lines where he asked the Cebu City Health Department (CHD) and Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) to establish their facility and mental health helplines to assist people suffering from depression or problems related to the emotional and mental aspects brought by the pandemic.

Because of the problems, Dizon said guidance or intervention is needed to calm them down.

"Atoa gyud nang tabangan kay luoy kaayo ang naagian sa atong mga kaigsuonan karon. Gikan sa pandemya, hangtud nga naabtan pa gyud sa bagyo," said Dizon.

Dizon also asked the barangays as well as the Sangguniang Kabataan to formulate programs related to mental health.

"Sa akong nahibaw-an, ang SK sa Lahug, Labangon ug uban pa, kay dunay mga programa kalabot niini. Akong panghinaut nga sundon usab kini sa ubang SK," he added.

He said that the health crisis had brought much stress and anxieties, and it could increase risk of depression.

The councilor emphasized that sharing about one’s feelings is one way to distress.

Dizon noted that the support of the city government is important in the effort alleviate the people’s pain during these difficult times. — GMR (FREEMAN)