A Reaction paper

On
PHL Confronts Costs, Effects Of
Issues On Mental Health
By: BusinessMirror

Submitted by:
Marie Antoinette M. Espina
11-Pioneer

Submitted to:
Rex C. Ebarle

January 21, 2020

 Mental health is an issue we need to addressed to the people of our country,
Philippines, it is a social issue relevant to the working force of our government may it be
public or private. According to Magpantay of BusinessMirror published on the 5th of
September year 2019, that the main problem of mental health issue is stigma as if treating
as the elephant in the room. Magpantay also said that family members also tend to get
secretive when they have mental health illness, same goes for students and employees
because they are afraid to be judged. The article pointed out that out of 327 respondents
only 32 percent are confirmed to have experience mental health problem. Mental health
issue is not widely addressed among people at work. With this rising argument the
government also addresses another problem, which is the lack of facilities, awareness and
psychologist. However the main goal of the Department Of Health (DOH) is to remove
stigma from the workplace. On the other hand it all goes down to how well is was
implemented. The fear of being judge is considered to be a factor for mental health
however it is actually stigma that is preventing from treating the illness.

Consulting to a psychiatrist make cost a lot more than you expected. Most
people would think that they should spend their money on food and clothes rather than
having discussion with their mental health on a professional doctor, where they could just
talk problems with their family and friends. And because of this people cannot realize the
risk they have taken within their selves. Though we have to take into account that a lot of
people cannot afford a 2,000 Php therapy session even if they needed or wanted to
because they jus have enough to survive for a day. These people depend what the
government has to offer for them.
 The government has already given facilities and doctors to aid those who
needed to treat their mental health illness. Yet it is not enough, because hospitals are
overcrowded, some units are broken, staff shortage, funds are constraint. On a another
note there is also a shortage of students practicing for psychology and psychiatrist, which
is very high in demand. Then there's also provinces with lacking for psychiatrist or does
not have at all psychiatrist around. Even with the governments effort it still does not
reach the rural areas of Philippines.

The government has been seen to have given efforts in regards to its
communities problem. They gave facilities, programs and some poorly functioning units.
However some politicians tend to get corrupt taking the money for themselves and letting
their subjects suffer the consequences. As a result implementation is tough it may be
delivered to the community but not the way it was supposed to be or it may no be
delivered at all. We would not progressed if our leaders are not setting a good example of
a good role model.

The fear of judgement is not preventing from a person from opening but the
stigma which causes to take down the opportunity. Living within a culture that
emphasizes resilience and humor amidst pain and personal suffering makes it all the more
difficult to talk about mental illness out in the open. The stigma surrounding mental
illness only adds to the layers of struggle of people who suffer from various mental health
conditions. Some cases may lead to a person to do self harm to alleviate the pain they
they endure and worst cases they take take their own life to stop everything from
happening. Mental health is not a joke, you must take it seriously. Having a friend who
have experienced depression and anxiety, I have slowly learn how to deal and help
people with the same problem. It hurts to see my best friend crying herself to sleep or not
even sleeping at all for no reason. It makes my heart ache when she can’t trust us to tell
her problems or what’s troubling her. Her slight hesitation makes a great indicator that
shes carrying a burden that she can’t trust anyone with except herself. I am forever
grateful for seeing her rise above from all of her doubts. Although there are still those
times where the past still hunts her but she’s trying hard and staying tough to make it
trough. Conversations should start within families and other social circles, where help is
within reach. And while the law and medical treatment can be allies in treatment and
rehabilitation, liberation from the shadow of stigma and discrimination should begin in
the basic units of society.