Should any thoughts or opinions trigger you, contact a mental health professional. For immediate attention like violence and self-injury involved, go to Baguio General Hospital Medical Center (BGHMC) or for less urgent matters, schedule an appointment through text, call or the konsulta app for Baguio residents. Also, you can call 911 (also for Baguio residents only) when needed and be directed to the City Health Services Office – Mental Health and Substance Use Unit.
Whoever said that mental health is just a figment of the mind or to say – an imagination? Who are we to judge when real talk and real life conversations and experiences show it? Who are we to say that our opinion cannot be diverse and our realities cannot be inclusive? Who are we to be “judgers” when we are not judges?
Is it right to talk about mental health? Will talking about it worsen or lessen cases for people suffering mental illnesses? Will talking about mental illnesses save lives?
Many mental health communities in Baguio have sprung since pre-pandemic times. To start with in 2018, Keep Going Baguio or the Baguio Mental Health Warriors, Inc. started bringing advocates and mental health Warriors together. It was the first community-type organization making rounds during the pandemic through informative webinar-type forums. However, the unity amidst diversity didn’t make it go through the next step.
In the same year, Anxiety and Depression Support Group Baguio City (ADSG-BC) made it through the years. It is a combination of self-experienced warriors and professionals. It was the one who made rounds working with the city later on until the youth sector was established.
The Persons with Disability Office or PDAO Baguio also initiated efforts for psychosocial disability considering that it is now, the most increasing number or PWD ID applicants ever since pandemic. It tried coordinating with different PWD communities such as the blind, deaf and hard of hearing and more.
In 2023, the Baguio City Mental Health Council was a move by the city to intensify zero suicide efforts. Mostly with professional practitioners, it has welcomed suggestions and participation of warriors.
A lot has been done, judgements have been set aside and people came out to talk about mental health. We still lost lives but those finding help have been rising. It’s a good thing in terms of awareness and the persons who died by suicide are now lesser.
I think providing medical support has been a good thing including free checkups and the like. Now, vagrants with psychosis are being prioritized. Mental health is a long way to go but I think we’re almost there – almost! Wherever that is?
I wish you faith, hope and love and some butterflies in your life or maybe – just maybe, the fireflies at night. Add the flowers, then less hassles, equals Happy Panagbenga!