Collective action for mental health

Much has been said and written about mental health. It emerges as a silent epidemic with irreversible repercussions that greatly affects our youth in particular. A deeper look at the problem will show that one of the reasons for this is a failure in communication, and that is something we in the PR community need to worry about.

An article in a local publication recently cited World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in eight people live with a mental health condition.

While we in the Philippines have begun to recognize the urgency of addressing mental health issues with the passage of the Mental Health Act in 2018, there is a need to continue more open discussions to destigmatize mental health issues.

Mental health cases are on the rise, many of which remain undetected, unreported, or underreported. It is indeed time for a World Mental Health Day to remind us that mental health is as important as physical health; that this needs to be integrated into the health system to sustain strong and resilient families, communities, schools and even workplaces.

Urgency in numbers

Depression and anxiety are leading mental health illnesses among adolescents, and suicide is among the leading causes of death for people ages 15 to 19, according to the World Health Organization.

In SY 2021-2022, the Department of Education (DepEd) said 404 student suicides and more than 2,100 suicide attempts were recorded in schools.

The 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey by the University of the Philippines Population Institute found that 62 percent of Filipino youth contemplating suicide did not reach out for help, and only 2 percent of those who attempted suicide sought professional support.

Some of the identified reasons for increased mental health concerns among students include the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, poverty, bullying, internet addiction, family, academic concerns, lack of mental health literacy, and lack of interventions and available resources. . But more importantly, family-related reasons are now recognized as having the greatest impact on the mental state of the young population.

It doesn’t help that we have a limited support system in the country at this time when it comes to mental health. We only have 5,085 registered guidance counsellors, 2,417 registered psychologists and 651 registered psychiatrists. Unfortunately, the Philippine public school system has only one guidance counselor serving 25,000 students.

Collective action is therefore urgently needed, not only in the public sector but also in private organisations, to address mental health issues that will enable a robust and integrated community-based system that recognizes the need to support mental health issues. and we offer more comprehensive options to address them, including sociocultural, geographic, and even faith-based considerations.

Work together

for a common reason

Communication is part of collective action towards mental health. Recognizing the problem through open discussions can encourage more people to open up and seek help. Having families have more time to interact with each other, literally play, eat, and talk together can make a big difference in raising a strong, resilient child who can express their emotions well. A school with a system for observing and detecting behavioral changes or patterns can trigger a more informed understanding of specific students’ school performance. A workplace with an institutionalized program that recognizes employees’ mental health needs can foster a more dynamic and healthier work environment. Communication channels, such as media with a constant flow of conversation that provide timely and healthy discussions about mental health issues, should be maintained to shape a society that is more open and understanding of people who need help, and less rigid in judgments and expectations.

I recently held a media briefing for one of Unilab Foundation’s programs, Heads Up PH, a mental health and well-being program aimed at supporting Filipino youth. Heads Up PH aims to create a supportive environment where students can get the help they need and to enable teachers and other school stakeholders to recognize signs of mental health issues among students.

Heads Up PH was launched during the pandemic and the aim of the recent media briefing was to raise awareness and spark further discussion about the details of the programme.

Heads Up PH developed a comprehensive, evidence-based report in collaboration with partners such as the Department of Education, Department of Health, Higher Education Commission (CHED), Divisional Offices of Schools and local government units, and mental health professionals and organisations. Toolkit for tackling mental health issues in schools across the country.

The toolkit aims to help fill gaps in the country’s shortage of mental health professionals, limitations in service delivery, increased reliance on remote support, and disruptions in the continuation of mental health services.

The discussion that arose during the briefing raised questions and then addressed the depth and possible causes of mental health problems in our society. In some cases underlying causes, which are often deliberately ignored or minimized, were explicitly mentioned. Clearly, communication plays a vital role in solving pressing problems and identifying possible interventions that encourage collective action. Topics expand as we discuss and people are encouraged to be more participatory and open, even with their personal experiences; This is a step towards normalizing and accepting the discussion about mental health.

We hope that by working with partners from the public and private sectors and facilitating the right mindset to understand and accept mental health, we will have a stronger and greater “community of intervention” not only for young people, but also for our society. the entire population, all for the benefit of a healthier country.

PR Matters is a roundtable of members of the local chapter of the UK-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s leading association for senior communications professionals worldwide. Claire de Leon-Papa is Head of External Relations and Social Partnerships for Unilab, Inc. He is a member of IPRA-Philippines Chapter and the International Public Relations Association.

PR Matters dedicates a special column each month to answering our readers’ PR questions. Please send your questions or comments to: [email protected].

Image credit: Ekrurila | Pexel.com