The City Health Services Office (CHSO) said that mental health issues among city residents are significantly increasing that is alarming and warrants a solid partnership between the government and the community to address the problem.
Ricky B. Ducas, CHSO mental health coordinator, claimed that among the reasons for the prevalence of mental health issues among city residents include dysfunctional families, sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, disorderly body shape and sexual orientation.
He pointed out that the city government considers the increase of individuals seeking consultations for their mental health issues as positive because people are now fully aware that there are available interventions available for them to be given the necessary treatment or needed services.
However, the CHSO mental health coordinator explained that the alarming incidents of mental health issues has also its negative aspect, especially that those being afflicted are those within the 12 to 24 age range and those within the workforce.
According to him, mental health issues can be treated through therapy, treatment, psycho-social services and medications which are readily available.
Ducas stipulated that the active participation of the community is also important in providing the conducive environment for individuals suffering from mental health issues to slowly recover from their current predicament and for them to be able to mingle with the society.
He explained that among the mechanisms to help avoid mental health problems among individuals include good parenting, proper peer interactions and community engagement to ensure that the youth are given the proper attention for them to bring out their potential and contribute to society.
Ducas called on individuals suffering from depression and anxiety to immediately seek proper consultations with the nearest health care providers in their communities so that appropriate interventions will be instituted to prevent their situation from worsening. By Dexter A. See