The National Mental Health Program under the health department reported that 3.6 million Filipinos have been experiencing depression in this COVID-19 pandemic.
With the prevailing pandemic and lockdowns, experts have come up with the term “quarantine fatigue” the effects of which are close to the symptoms of depression, including stress and irritability, anxiety, loss of appetite, disconnected, difficulty sleeping, and lack of motivation to work.
Data from the agency show that 1,145,871 of their callers are depressed, 874,145 have alcohol use disorder, 520,614 are bipolar and have drug use disorder, 213,422 have schizophrenia, and 349,058 calls are epilepsy-related.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has evoked overwhelming reactions and emotions from people. Many have had their livelihoods affected, others are worried about keeping their families safe,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III stated.
Psychiatrist Dr. Joffrey Quiring explained that it is normal for people to experience challenges in adjusting to the current situation, but insisted that medical help must be sought when one’s function and activities are already affected.
“Pwedeng dati nakakapagtrabaho ka nang maayos, nakakapag-aral ka nang maayos. Ngayon medyo hirap ka na. At sabi ko nga, we also look at the time (You may have been able to work efficiently, study well. Now it is a bit harder for you. As I’ve said, we also need to look at the time),” Quiring explained.
“Usually, we look at several weeks to a month na kapag talagang hindi ka makapag-cope o hindi ka makapag-adjust (Usually, we look at several weeks to a month, and if you really cannot cope or adjust)… then that might be a signal already that you might be dealing with a real mental health issue here,” Quiring added.
Data from the National Mental Health Program show that there are only 592 accredited psychiatrists in the country at present. With this, barangay health workers are now being trained to give primary intervention such as free consultations in barangay health centers for financially-challenged Filipinos suffering from depression.
Medical experts emphasized that mental health disorders can be treated like any other illnesses.
Individuals experiencing quarantine fatigue, anxiety, and depression can call the National Center for Mental Health hotlines 0917 899 8727 for mobile and 79898727 for landline users. – Report from Sweeden Velado-Ramirez
