DOH: Mental health crisis hotline ready to provide help

By: Leonard T. Pineda I

AMID the increasing cases of suicide in Iloilo, the Department of Health (DOH) said a 24/7 mental health crisis hotline has been established to provide counseling for people suffering from mental health conditions.

In the 5th Annual Mental Health Summit held Oct 24 at Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center, Dr. Noel Reyes, OIC-Chief Medical and Professional Staff of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), said that the NCMH crisis hotline is part of the national suicide prevention strategy of the DOH, which was mandated by the Mental Health Act.

“Under this program, the hotline works to address individuals and their family’s mental health needs and will provide the necessary intervention as needed,” he said.

Reyes said the NCMH crisis hotline can be reached at 0917-899-8727 or 989-8727.

“The hotline aims to address and help people in crisis, to prevent them from resorting to suicide and to restore their mental health equilibrium,” he said.

He said interventions can come in many forms such as motivational interviewing, and supportive interventions, but those who are in immediate need of psychiatric help will have the opportunity to be handled by an on-call psychiatrist for direct intervention.

“The end goal of the program is to stabilize and direct the caller to the necessary mental health professional for both short and long-term management,” he said.

He added that the NCMH will soon have a toll-free hotline. (PIA-Iloilo)