Psychologists, psychiatrists and other health professionals have banded together to establish a center in Bohol which will offer intervention to those with mental health issues and suicidal tendencies amid the rising number of suicide cases in the province.

The group, dubbed PAGPAKABUHI (Paghatag og Pagtagad sa Kabililhon sa Kinabuhi), will launch its facility which is located in Baclayon town on October 20, said Dr. Em-em Uy who founded the organization.

“Maka-offer ta og treatment g’yud, counselling, interventions para sa people na naa nay mental health issues,” she added.

According to Uy, their group which is also comprised of other volunteers including non-health professionals and the Catholic Church led by Bishop Abet Uy in Tagbilaran City will offer free crisis intervention and treatment for those who have mental health issues.

PAGPAKABUHI was also established to help raise awareness on mental health.

“Naa tay mga activities na promoting awareness, prevention. Maghatag ta’g lectures sa mga parents, teachers, police, the whole community since we realized that the community is not yet empowered and educated about suicide,” Em-em said.

Em-em, who is also the Provincial Health Office’s medical coordinator for non-communicable diseases, also introduced PAGPAKABUHI’s hotline number 09163369045 which is intended for suicide prevention and emotional crisis.

She said that Abet has suggested for a similar intervention center to be replicated in other areas of the province to widen their group’s coverage.

“Para unta tanang towns naa nay ngani kay dako man pud ang Bohol,” she said.

For his part, Abet called on the Catholic faithful to deepen their faith and urged various sectors in the community to pitch in as the issue on mental health is multifaceted and cannot be addressed with a single solution.

“We need to address it in different perspective unya kinahanglan ni siya og multi-approach, kinahanglan ni siya og collaborative effort,” he said. (A. Doydora)