‘The creation of mental health centers in the provinces and regions, as proposed by a
congressman, will not be the real answer to this major
problem of mental distresses…’
THERE are about 17 million Filipinos who have or have had a major depression disorder, which the government, still reeling from the pandemic, seems unable to address. There is little doubt that COVID-19 has contributed substantially to the number of emotional and mental distresses.
A young Korean female movie star, a former Miss USA, and a Wisconsin TV news anchor hogged the headlines recently for committing suicide. About three months ago, former Albay Rep. Rolando Andaya committed suicide over the untimely death of his young wife in 2018. A son of former San Miguel chairman and CEO Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco reportedly also took his own life a year ago due to depression.
Families would rather not disclose even to friends and neighbors any immediate member undergoing such a mental malady, and much less those who have committed suicide.
A recent health data does not show the actual number of victims of suicide from among the 17 million people affected by major depression. The faceless have no space in the news media. No one can tell if the unreported cases of serious depression have reached a crisis situation leading to more suicides.
Broadcast media should do its part and upgrade its music and commentary programs with more worthwhile counselling segments. Advertisers should show a similar concern, especially during this time, to support and sponsor programs to help prevent these mental disorders from taking a higher toll on society.
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas should be alarmed by these dreadful statistics and lead the way in the broadcast and online industries.
No one should discount the spiritual aspect of mental, emotional, and even physical dysfunctions. Christian communities should be more active in their ministries for divine healing and deliverance from the oppression and attacks of the devil, even if several evangelical churches still do not fully recognize the power of the Holy Spirit against demonic and evil spirits that continue to threaten and assault the inner lives of thousands today with anxiety, fear and depression.
The Bible is clear that the “enemy came to steal, kill and destroy,” and that “the devil goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” But “Jesus came to give us life and life in abundance!”
The creation of mental health centers in the provinces and regions, as proposed by a congressman, will not be the real answer to this major problem of mental distresses without the crucial spiritual intervention of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. More than medical science, it is the power of the blood of Jesus that has brought miraculous healings in many countries to so many thousands of the terminally sick and suffering, troubled and tragically depressed.
And to those who believe and trust God with a vibrant and deep faith, Jesus has promised to make us powerful warriors in His Name through Luke 10:29: “Behold I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions (evil and impure spirits causing disease and suffering) and to overcome all the power of the enemy and nothing, by any chance, can harm you.”
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The new government of President Marcos Jr. should seriously consider former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte’s proposal to name the late former President Fidel Ramos a national hero mainly because he was responsible for “the birth of a sovereign nation.”
Almonte says Ramos refused to take over the government during two major national crises — when there was a vacuum of leadership after Ferdinand Marcos had fled and when the government of President Cory Aquino faced imminent collapse in the 1989 military coup.
Almonte likens his former boss to Rizal and Bonifacio whose heroism had made way for the birth of our republic. He quotes Ramos: “I will never be a part of any decision to turn the country into a banana republic and rule it with the barrel of a gun.”
Ramos stood by Aquino even if most of her Cabinet members, according to Almonte, were appealing for Ramos to take over since she could no longer govern.
