All over the world, the month of May also celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month. In most countries in the West, they see this as very important as the cases of mental health disorders are increasing every year. Our country may not have the same number of cases compared to these Western countries, or so we thought.
I read an article from GMA website and that over 200,000 people of the 1.4 million Filipinos with disabilities had mental disability. We see them in mental hospitals, in jails and even on the streets. It is sad that there are only a few agencies who are giving importance to mental health disorders.
What is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. There are different factors that contribute to mental health problems, including biological factors (genes or brain chemistry), life experiences (trauma or abuse) and family history. (www.mentalhealth.gov)
Mental health problems in our country should not be neglected as it would cause those who have mental health disorders and their loved ones to feel depressed, some even leading to suicidal tendencies.
Why is mental health awareness important?
The well-being of every individual is important in a society or a community. Without a firm sense of well-being, the community is weakened. Mental health awareness is important not just to educate people about the meaning of mental health illness but the causes and the effects it does to a person and to the community. Getting treatment for mental health disorders can be life-changing to those affected. I have heard many who are depressed, stressed and mentally challenged who took their lives because they were not treated or that there is no support from family. Such tragic stories.
Our country does not have a law on mental health. Nevertheless, private sectors and government agencies such as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH) have programs aimed at helping solve mental health problems. We should do our part in acknowledging mental health illness. If you or someone you love experience mental health problems, do not hesitate to ask for help. Now isthe time for us to acknowledge this problem happening in our country. It is not too late.
Maria Celeste Abellana
iSTORYA League of Writers
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Mental Health Awareness Month
Published on 05-26-2015 10:00 AM
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