PMHA cites youths with mental problems increases

by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, Oct. 15 (PIA)   The Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) - Negros Oriental chapter has noted the number of youths with psychological, emotional, and mental problems has grown dramatically in recent years in the province.

However, PMHA Executive Director Aurora Flores could not cite figures on the incidence of mental disorders in Negros Oriental due to lack of baseline data, but she cited a    12- year old boy in Bayawan City has committed a criminal offense for eight times under a so-called ‘children in conflict with the law ‘ (CICL) and media reports on suicide cases.

Consequently, the local government of Bayawan City has commissioned the PMHA to conduct an assessment or psychological test to the 33 CICL together with the 12-year old boy who are in the Paglaum Youth Ward Center and in jail.

Flores has cited the importance of mental health and encouraged the local government to   invest in mental health to strengthen the prevention and control of mental illness in time for the celebration of the Mental Health Awareness Week every second week of October.

Assistant Provincial Health Officer and Chief of Hospitals, Dr. Felix Sy is now trying to incorporate mental disorder prevention programs into the province’ medical and dental free health services.

Dr. Sy said the Department of Health (DOH) and even the inter-local health zone in the province would now consider mainstreaming the mental health prevention program under the Philippine Health Agenda.

With this new collaboration with the local health department, Flores expressed optimism that a real picture on the incidence of mental disorders in the province can be obtained in the near future. (PIA NegOr/JCT)