Even before the COVID-19 health crisis, mental health, especially of the youth who were vulnerable to depression and acts of suicidality, had become an urgent concern of Philippine society. This according to the leading psychiatrists and health leaders, among them, Dr. Cornelio Banaag, often referred to as the father of child and adolescent psychiatry in the Philippines. Dr. Banaag cited W.H.O. estimates that 10 to 20 percent of children and adolescents suffer from a form of mental disorder. “There is a mental health crisis going on….stress is a trigger for mental disorders,” he said.
(Listen to his interview with Professor Randy David, here.)
Dr. Banaag is among the 12 leading medical experts, health leaders and school heads convened by the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute last January 21, 2020. This first gathering of advocates of youth mental wellness adopted the rallying call, “Loving Our Embattled Youth.”
(At the Ramon Magsaysay Asian Library, 21 January 2020: Then RMAF President Carmencita Abella, in blue at top of steps, facilitated the first conversation. One step below her is Ms. Cecilia B. Garrucho, of the Philippine Educational Theater Association, then Dr. Cornelio Banaag, The Medical City; Chicklette Toledo , RMAF , Dr. Richie Parr, MLAC Institute. In front of them are (L-R) Dr. Susy Mercado, Global Health Initiatives, and Ms. Dina Paterno, The Beacon School. In front of them are (L-R) Dr. Honey Carandang, MLAC Institute, Dr. Bernie Madrid, Child Protection Network, and in front of her is Dr. Cynthia Bautista, RMAF Trustee and UP Vice President for Academic Affairs. At front row are (L-R) UP Professor Randy David, former UP Chancellor Michael Tan, and Dr. Oyie Balburias, go2Health, Inc.)
The group is creating a Community of Concern and Action for the youth in the country. They are also planning to have learning exchanges with Magsaysay Awardee Mr. Kim Jong-ki and the Blue Tree Foundation of Korea that has succeeded in reducing bullying in schools, and lowering the incidence of suicidality among the youth.
At the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the group said that issues of mental health are in the forefront more than ever, as the COVID-19 health crisis literally stopped business-as-usual in many societies. Schools closed, graduation ceremonies were postponed, youth hang-outs all moved to online. Overall, people in lockdown situations today are at a loss for effective ways of dealing with the virus threat.
Three experts among the group are sharing the following very timely messages:
Taking care of one’s mental health is critical “in a time of anxiety, uncertainty and destabilization,” as leading psychologist Dr Honey Carandang explains. (Listen to her video, Mindfulness and Healing in the Midst of the COVID-19 Crisis. This is the first of a series about mindfulness as a way of life. She addresses leaders in the home,in the community,in the workplace and in government.)
Coping with Anxiety and Uncertainty with Dr. Cornelio Banaag #MHTalks
#MHTalks | #MentalHealthPH in partnership with The Medical City – Department of Psychiatry brings you MH Talks: Protecting our Mental Health vs COVID-19 (Series 1).
Integral to mental health is one’s physical health and for Dr. Oyie Balburias, Chief Executive Officer of go2Health, Inc., there is no better time to understand one’s immune system and how it defends and repairs the body. COVID-19 is having the most impact on people with compromised immune systems, and the least impact on those who are healthy. ” We need to be more active about creating our HEALTH…a healthy immune system will perform its role of defending and repairing our bodies,” he wrote. (Read his piece on “The Immune System Strength Versus the SARS CoV2 Virus.”) Click here.
Poor Sleep Quality and Immune System watch here
On Strengthening Your Immune System watch here
In this time of quarantine and isolation of groups of people, another leading health expert is strongly advocating for attention to the needs of the children, especially those vulnerable to child abuse. According to Dr. Bernie Madrid, Executive Director of the Child Protection Network (CPN), incidents can be reported to every barangay’s Violence against Women and Children desk or at the nearest Women and Children Protection Unit. (Read the advisory of the CPN, “Protektahan ang mga Bata sa Pang-aabuso habang naka-Community Quarantine.”
