Depression

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’ EDITORIAL’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
Friday, October 13, 2017
[/av_textblock]

[av_image src=’http://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/editorial-cartoon-for-oct13.jpg’ attachment=’120362′ attachment_size=’full’ align=’center’ styling=” hover=” link=” target=” caption=” font_size=” appearance=” overlay_opacity=’0.4′ overlay_color=’#000000′ overlay_text_color=’#ffffff’ animation=’no-animation’][/av_image]

[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=”]
THE SUPPOSED suicide of an 11-year-old bullied Grade 6 pupil in Leganes, Iloilo on Tuesday came at a time when there’s a raging public debate on whether or not depression is a serious condition. The debate only proves that Filipinos need to be educated more on matters pertaining to mental health.

A week ago, there was an outburst of public opinion regarding noontime TV show host and comedian Joey de Leon’s branding of depression as a figment of the imagination. He said during a segment of their popular noontime show: “Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao ‘yan. Gawa lang nila sa sarili nila.” A co-host felt compelled to correct the veteran celebrity by telling him that depression was no joke and that those suffering from it, especially the youth, needed support.

Criticized on social media for his statements, de Leon has since issued a public apology and admitted ignorance on the topic. He said he erroneously equated depression with stress.

According to the Department of Health, depression is a form of mental illness, as well as schizophrenia and anxiety. In fact, it says 20 percent (one out of five) of Filipino adults suffer from some form of mental illness.

Certainly, Filipinos from all walks of life will benefit from a national mental health policy focused on information dissemination and making treatment accessible. There’s a proposed Comprehensive Mental Health Act currently undergoing the period of debate in the House of Representatives. It bats for the establishment of an accessible mental care system integrated in the general health services infrastructure.

Under the measure, all local government units are required to have a mental health facility. It also proposes to integrate subjects on mental health in both elementary and high school to keep incidents of depression, obesity, and teenage pregnancy in check among students.

In his apology, de Leon said he hoped his mistake on depression would lead to more discussions on the matter. “Kung may maidudulot na mabuti ang aking pagkakamali, sana ay mabuksan nito ang maraming pinto sa pagtalakay sa depression,” the TV host said.

Many of the health problems we encounter arise from mental conditions. Our physicians see a significant proportion of common symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, and back pain for which they don’t find a cause. If we will be able to identify patients’ psychosocial stressors and common mental and behavioral conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance use, we can understand more about what drive these symptoms and be able to give appropriate care and treatment

The proposed Comprehensive Mental Health Act could save many lives, particular those of people who believe there’s no one to help them.
[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]