Quarantine and isolation have caused unbelievable hardships for Filipinos, especially those who lost their livelihood. How to recover from the trauma is a grave concern.

The coronavirus pandemic is a serious global crisis that has harmed both physical and mental health. Lockdown rules imposed to combat COVID-19’s rapid spread, primarily social limitations, have been linked to depression and anxiety attacks.

Given the pandemic’s impact on mental health and well-being, Filipinos should have free access to mental health care, including essential ongoing care and psychosocial support services. In 2018, President Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11036, also known as the “Mental Health Act,” which aims to establish a national mental health policy that emphasizes basic rights of all Filipinos to mental health.

To help people cope with the pandemic, the National Center for Mental Health responded by setting up a toll-free crisis hotline for the public as an add-on to the other mental health programs it is already running.

Mental health is a real and serious concern, particularly in the midst of a pandemic. This is a concern that the entire community should share. To those who may be suffering from mental health issues and require assistance can contact one of the NCHM’s hotlines:

• 09178998727 (mobile)
• 02-7-989-8727 (landline)
• 155 (toll free, landline to landline)