Steps to address discrimination vs COVID patients tackled

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, chair of the city’s Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Against COVID-19 said steps are being taken to address the discrimination of COVID-19 patients in the city.

Familiaran met with mental health professionals and advocates here recently to discuss initiatives on integrating psychosocial measures and approaches to the city’s response against COVID-19.

He said the initiative is in response to the growing discrimination against COVID-19 patients.

“We initiated this because of the prevailing situation that our COVID-19 positive patients are being discriminated in their community. They have experienced traumatic and distressing experiences, and this might lead to depression,” he added.

Familiaran said the mental health practitioners shared their own experiences, brainstormed ideas, and came up with initiatives to address the current issues of mental health amidst the pandemic.

They are planning to establish a Mental Health Office to centralize and integrate relevant mental health measures, and to ensure a holistic approach in health and wellness, he said.

The group also agreed to propose the establishment of an online support system for quarantined individuals and their families, COVID-19 positive patients, and for the general public’s benefit; and the establishment of a Mental Health Psychosocial Task Force to be integrated to the city’s IATF, Familiaran said.

Familiaran said he will bring up to Mayor Evelio Leonardia and to the IATF all these suggestions and other matters discussed in the meeting.

A follow-up meeting with mental health professionals and advocates will be held on July 9 at the Bacolod City Government Center.

Familiaran also reminded Bacolodnons to take care of their mental health by thinking positive, doing exercise, eating healthy food, and getting good sleep.

Attending the meeting were Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan of the Bacolod City Health Office, Bernadeth Montelibano of the Bacolod City DRRM Office, Dr. Johnny Decatoria of LCC-B, Dr. Donalyn Lastima of the Philippine Guidance Counselors Association-Negros Occidental Guidance Counselors Association, Marie Bernadeth Villanueva of Riverside College and Western Visayas Psychological Support, Rose Jessica Octaviano of Hope Foundation, Rowena Bañes of the USLS, Malou Eudela of Australia Awards, Bebce Gentilezo of JCI–Bacolod, Aileen Tranquilo of CHMSC-Talisay City, Ana Lou Panganiban of TUP-V, and Isabel Coscolluela.