The Department of Health (DOH) – CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) or DOH 4-A said a total of 243 clients were already provided psychological support through the “Kapit-Bisig” Helpline .
Kapit–Bisig is an online crisis center launched last last April 27, 2020 for people seeking psychological interventions, consultation and treatment.
It was facilitated by trained providers of mental health and psychosocial support service (MHPSS) and psychological first aid (PFA).
Clients who may be developing mental disorders will be provided the appropriate intervention.
Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said “This is where individuals experiencing stress and anxiety due to the present pandemic can seek help including persons and families with mental health concerns. The service is free.”
Since May 2020 to present, 243 clients were processed and given psychosocial support service.
Most of them were from CALABARZON with 118; 65 from the National Capital Region, 29 from Central Luzon, 5 from MIMAROPA; 4 from Central Visayas; 2 – Eastern Visayas, 4 – Bicol Region, 4 – Ilocos Region, 2 from CAR, 2 – Zamboanga Peninsula and 1 each from Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, CARAGA and Davao Region. Three clients did not specify their residence.
Among the clients who were given MHPSS were those suffering from depression with suicidal thoughts, panic attack, anxiety disorder, hallucination, adjustment disorder and bipolar disorder.
Most of the clients were from 20-29 years old with 120 clients; 47 clients were from 30-39 years of age; 38 were from 14-19 y.o.; 23 from 40-49 y.o.; 5 from 60-82 y.o.; 3 from 50-59 year-old bracket while 7 did not specify their age. Most of the clients were female at 195 and male at 48.
Regional Mental Health Coordinator Paulina Calo said that most of the mental health concerns of clients who availed of the service were suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, depression, post-partum depression, suicidal thoughts and emotional problems.
“We are providing services from PFA, counselling including referral to other health services like TeleBIDA-HAIDOC, referral to respective regional health offices, regional health units, city/municipal health officers and mental health consultants,” she added.
Individuals can seek psychosocial support from “Kapit Bisig” Helpline through https://www.facebook.com/kapit.bisig.helpline from 10AM to 12NN and 1PM to 3PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Individuals may also contact the crisis hotline through mobile phones – Globe: 0916-339-4932 and Smart: 0951-7695389.
The “Kapit-Bisig” Helpline is a psychosocial support project of the Mental Health Program of DOH-CALABARZON through the directive of Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo