CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The City Social Welfare Development (CSWD) in Cagayan de Oro City urged those who are in pain and in emotional distress to express their feelings through crying and not be ashamed of it.
In an episode of KonsulTayo, a health and media forum at SM CDO City Uptown, Rio Rosal B. Baliling, OIC of Psychosocial Division of CSWD said they encourage their clients to cry, because it is healthy to express an emotion.
In celebration of World Mental Health Month in October, the CSWD highlighted their tagline ‘Help is available and Help is free’ as they offer free counseling services to anyone willing to undergo intervention and could also do referral to psychiatrists for those who need medication.
“We don’t diagnose but we identify symptoms,” Baliling said.
The usual symptoms that are being identified by the Psychosocial Division include depression, suicidal tendencies, suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts.
Those who have these symptoms are usually those that went through trauma.
“Akong focus of clients are kaning mga survivors of sexual abuse nga young girls. So gataas baya pud siya karon. Tungod sa abuse, naa gyud dinha ang symptoms of depression ug suicidal tendencies,” she said.
(My focus are clients who survived sexual abuse usually young girls. So these cases are also increasing. Because of abuse, there are really symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies.)
Although the number of mental health concerns are increasing, it could also mean that the health seeking behavior of Kagay-anons have improved.
“We are happy that people are more aware about what mental health is. They no longer keep themselves in the dark and they have the strength to seek help,” she said.
Baliling said there is a generational gap and there is really a difference in how the young ones respond to life’s difficulties compared to the older generation.
She said the youngest case of suicide was a 10-year old in 2020, meanwhile, the oldest is 77.
Although older people might not understand the mental state of young ones, Baliling said there is no other way but to adapt to the time, and that it is not helpful to invalidate their experiences.
“What we can do is support them instead of invalidating them. They need support more than comparison,” she said.
Baliling also shared some tips on how to improve mental health. First by being active through exercise at least five minutes a day. Second is to feed your body with healthy food. Third is to lower alcohol intake.
She said a healthy mind helps you enjoy life and cope with problems. (JMOR/PIA-10)
