Leslie Dulfo
Should you find anything triggering or need help on mental health, you can reach the Baguio City Health Services Office Mental Health and Wellness Unit at 0919-069-6361, Department of Health CAR – Mental Health Unit at 0938-757-6458 and the Baguio General Hospital Psychiatry Unit at (074) 442-2365.
How are you? How are you coping so far? I always remember that people are diverse. And as diverse as each one is, we have different coping strategies.
To illustrate in mental health, even if two people are both medically diagnosed with the same diagnosis, let’s say Bipolar Disorder, one may prove to have a Type 1 or Type 2 disorder. The difference lies in the prevalence of mania or depression or even both? These facts of medical diagnoses may be assessed and proven only by a psychiatrist.
Therefore, even medication of these two people may be different and coping strategies may likely depend on a person’s physical or non-physical activity. Even if one coping strategy worked for one, it may not seem that the same coping may work for another.
Perhaps, this is the most illustrated fact that we have to savor richly like the way our taste buds and preferences are so amazingly different! Yes, so amazingly diversified!
I also remember many times that one person may have one or two mental disorders too. Various diagnoses may happen to a single person during his/ her lifetime or even at one common point. People may have 2 or 3 diagnoses, however, it’s never a number’s game at all!
Also, even a mental health warrior may have an accompanying learning or neurological or even physical disability. This is a fact we have to consider in aligning various programs for various disabilities. However, bottomline is — there is still hope out there too!
What I can generally say is that perfection and pure identicality really is a farce. No two people, even identical twins who are both boys can be exactly alike in genetic makeup or traits. So embrace the differences and the uniqueness you hold!
Sometimes, I wonder what is better? Is it the invisible sickness or the visible ailments? Beats me! I just know that I am lucky to be alive and kicking and thriving too!
Know that you matter always! Know that you take up space and there is no one else that is exactly like you. So wear your crown or maybe uncrown yourself as uniquely and diverse as you are. You have a significant purpose why you are here after all!