By Vann Marlo M. Villegas THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH), together with Natasha Goulborn Foundation (NGF), launched the “Hopeline” project last Sept. 13 to prevent suicide cases and address mental health issues in the country. In a press release, DOH said the 24/7 phone-based counseling also aimed to “bridge the gap in the mental health services in the country.” “Finally, there’s a hotline for us to call when we are having psychological and emotional issues. We are very optimistic that we can fully implement Hopeline and address mental health issues in a very innovative way,” Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said.
Citing the report by the World Health Organization (WHO), Ubial said around 800,000 people die every year due to suicide. Ubial noted that there is a “stigma” on mental health issues that has to be addressed, despite the Philippines recording the lowest suicide rates among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-member states based on WHO report. Psychology instructor from University of Santo Tomas Renz Argao told the Echo Today in an online interview that the Hopeline would provide immediate support system and confidentiality to people in a country where there is a “stigma” on mental health issues. “[The hotline] is effective in preventing suicides because it offers an immediate response to a crisis,” Argao said, adding it could have been better if the service was given earlier. “For those who are suicidal, they find it hard to reach out and ask for help because sometimes, they are not taken seriously or that they really don't have anyone to turn to,” he said. In October 2015, Hopeline was launched by NGF in Cebu for the same cause. Hopeline hotlines can be reached at reached (02) 804-HOPE (4673); 0917 558 HOPE (4673) and 2919 (toll-free number for all GLOBE and TM subscribers). E
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