More than 40 clinical case clients received free proper intervention and support through Iloilo City’s RAISE (Raise Awareness, Intervene, Support & Empower) Mental Health Program in August and September this year.
Ret. Police Major Dorothy Joy J. Bolivar, Registered Psychologist, and RAISE Mental Health Unit Team Head, said that this is alarming considering the program just began in late July of 2024.
“Among our cases are panic disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar, or having suicidal thoughts, and most of our clients experienced trauma. Having these 40 clinical cases is alarming,” she said.
The Iloilo City Emergency Responders (ICER) recorded 28 suicide cases in 2022 and two cases in 2023.
“These are reported cases only; we expect that there are more unreported cases,” the mental health unit’s psychologist said.
Bolivar, however, expressed hopes as the city now streamlines comprehensive and accessible strategies to help address the mental health concerns of the Ilonggos.
“We are glad that most of our clients can complete their sessions, and we can see that they are on the road to recovery through this program’s intervention. Padayunon ta ini para mas madamo pa gid ang aton malab-ot,” she added.
RAISE Mental Health Program, a proactive advocacy initiative of Executive Assistant Raisa Treñas, aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and suicide prevention, provide interventions and support systems for individuals struggling with mental health problems, empower individuals and community well-being through various activities that foster a sense of belonging and connectedness, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and suicide.
“Our services are free so that the public has access to mental health services,” Bolivar emphasized.
The office offers psychosocial services such as online counseling via the Raise Mental Health Iloilo Facebook chatline, via e-mail at Raisementalhealth.ilo.ph@gmail.com, or the Mental Health Hotline No. 09685663131.
In-person services are available at the RAISE Mental Health Clinic on Iloilo City Hall’s ground floor. This accessible clinic offers stress debriefing and marital counseling and has peer and family support networks.
The office recently rolled out its psychoeducation efforts through mental health talks and activities in Barangays Bo. Obrero and Hipodromo on October 10 and 13, respectively, and are set to be rolled-out across all 180 barangays in Iloilo City.
“If we have critical incidents, like the recent residential fire in La Paz, we carry out stress debriefing,” Bolivar added.
The mental health team is working with the city government’s emergency response team as well as with various schools and universities and private and non-government organizations.
“Mental health is just as important as your physical health. We need a mind-body-soul balance. Prioritizing our mental health is important so that we can forge good relationships with others and be productive members, not only in our respective jobs and families, but also within the society,” Bolivar said. (Pearl Socias/Iloilo City PIO)
