[Trigger warning: Mention of suicide]
Metro Manila, Philippines – Showing sensitivity and kindness to people will go a long way during this holiday season, a critical period that may cause mental health concerns, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.
In a recent news briefing, Herbosa said the Department of Health (DOH) sees “many cases” of suicide and depression during the celebrations for Christmas and the New Year. He, however, could not cite figures at that time.
In an article published in the “Frontiers in Public Health” journal, researchers found that most countries have a “relatively lower risk” of suicide on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but the suicide risk becomes “significantly increased” on New Year’s Day.
“Sometimes, they (patients) will come to you, masakit ang dibdib, nahihirapan huminga, ‘yun pala ang problema nila mental health,” he said, citing his experience as an emergency doctor.
[Translation: Sometimes, patients will come to you with chest pain and difficulty in breathing, but their real problem is with their mental health.]
The DOH chief said patients dealing with mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, and depression may be triggered by loneliness during the holidays.
He said these could be solo-living individuals, such as students or workers who could not go home to their province, Overseas Filipino Workers and their families, as well as individuals who have experienced loss of jobs, homes, or loved ones.
There might also be stress with the holiday planning.
Herbosa said such issues require mental health support.
“We can all do something about it. Hindi kailangan mag-emergency room agad kung may mental health problem, pwedeng peer support, friend support, and relative support,” he said.
[We can all do something about it. It’s not required to visit an emergency room if you have a mental health problem. Support from peers, friends, and relatives may help.]
But he also said people with mental health concerns may consult doctors and call the crisis hotlines of the National Center for Mental Health.
“Let’s also be sensitive to how others would feel and be kind,” he said, adding that listening to those who are facing problems is already a great help.
He also stressed being sensitive to social media posts of friends that may hint at mental health concerns and immediately call for help.
The secretary also floated the idea of having a surveillance on mental health concerns during the holidays next year. The DOH is currently monitoring firework-related injuries, road crash injuries, and non-communicable diseases.
In 2023, there were 3,133 recorded deaths in the Philippines due to intentional self-harm, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported.
Nearly 3 out of 10 deaths by intentional self-harm occurred among the youth aged 15 to 24 years old.
[If you are dealing with mental health concerns, contact the crisis hotlines of the National Center for Mental Health at 1553, 0919-057-1553, and 0917-899-8727.]
