The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) will be conducting a program which will introduce emotional wellness programs starting January 2017, reports GMA News.
It aims to help students manage stress, anxiety, and depression
This new addition aims to help students overcome and manage stress, anxiety, and depression. It also hopes to lower the number of suicide cases in the country, particularly in the youth aged 9 to 18.
“[We’ve] translated the modules into Filipino. We’ll be in the process of teaching or training the teachers,” said Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), according to the report.
This new project will first be implemented in Region IV-B (Palawan, Romblon, Mindoro, and Marinduque), GMA reports. There will be tests to determine the effectiveness of this new program and if adjustments are necessary.
photo: dreamstime
The program will teach kids necessary life skills and tackle issues of sexuality and bullying
“They are taught different life skills. Kasama ang self-awareness, kasama ang communication skills, interpersonal relations, how to relate to others, family-building, establishing self-esteem,” Dr. Lucila Bance, director of the UST Counseling and Career Center told GMA news, adding that lessons on sexuality, as well as how to deal with sexual harassment and bullying—both physical and cyberbullying.
photo: Shutterstock
Only 2.9 cases per 100,000 suicides are reported
“With regards to how many [people] commit suicide, we don’t really know kasi when you commit suicide and you die, it’s difficult to do a psychological autopsy and sometimes the relatives- suicide is something not spoken about in the Philippines,” National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Chief Bernardino Vicente told GMA News.
He also attributes the rising number of underreported suicides (about 2.9 per 100,000 cases are reported) to social stigma.
The DOH’s recent programs aim to provide those with mental health problems a safer and more supportive environment where they can access care and be able to talk openly about their struggles.
Recently, the DOH also launched a 24-hour suicide hotline in September 2016 to provide better access for youths and adults alike to mental health care.
You can access Hopeline 24/7 at (02) 804-4637; 0917-5584673; and 2919 for Globe and TM subscribers.
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