City health eyes expansion of Mental Health Services

The City Health Services Office (CHSO) under Dr. Rowena Galpo continues to work on the expansion of the services of its mental health program.

Galpo along with Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda who chairs the city council committee on health, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales, and representing Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Executive Assistant I Leandro Tabilog joined Mental Health Program Co-Coordinator Ricky Ducas in the opening of the mental health and wellness center, in celebration of World Mental Health Week, at the CHSO last 03 October 2022.

Albeit still with limited space and equipment, the wellness room provides facilities like electronic heating pads, guided meditation room, massage room, an electronic device to measure and reduce blood pressure, and others.

Galpo said all the equipment was funded through the initiative of former Congressman Bernardo Vergara.

“This is just the start and I am sure that through the sustained efforts of the city government and support of our partners, we will be able to expand this service,” Galpo added.

“Let us make this a clarion call for us to do something about it,” Tabanda said as she stressed the importance of everyone’s mental health and of overcoming the stigma associated with it.

She also urged everyone to do what he or she can to help those with problems.

Orcales who heads the council committee on youth welfare and sports development cited the CHSO, Ducas and his group for their initiatives on mental health that gave opportunities for the sector to participate in beneficial programs and activities resulting in the widespread acceptance of mental health concerns.

“Mental health is everyone’s concern so let us choose life,” he said.

Last year, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 29, series of 2021 entitled “Mental Health Care and Developmental Wellness Program” which seeks to re-orient and modernize all mental health facilities in the city; integrate mental health care in the general health care delivery system; promote mental health, prevent, treat and control mental illness at all levels; provide free or inexpensive medicine and access to comprehensive health care and treatment both at the community and hospital level, among others.

Due to limited space and equipment, the wellness center will for now cater to health workers who also underwent mental health challenges at the height of the pandemic. – Mileyvonne Tiamzon