Pagpakabuhi (Paghatag og Pagtagad sa Kabililhon sa Kinabuhi) Center, a volunteer-run institution, has been inaugurated in Baclayon town, opening its doors to those in need of intervention for mental health issues and suicidal tendencies.
Bishop Abet Uy, a volunteer himself, and Pagpakabuhi founder Dr. Em-Em Uy led the inauguration in Barangay Poblacion on Sunday and were joined by supporters from various sectors including Gov. Arthur Yap and Provincial Board Members Dionisio Balite and Lucille Lagunay.
According to Em-Em, they aim to raise awareness on mental health and help prevent suicide cases, which have been causing alarm among the authorities and communities in the province.
“The more na maka-create ta og awareness, maka-help g’yud ta og prevent. And not only creating awareness but maka-intervene pud ta,” Em-em said.
The Pagpakabuhi Center is open at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday with at least two personnel who are trained first responders manning the facility.
Those who will need further intervention and treatment will be referred to the expert volunteers who will be on call.
Em-em said that Pagpakabuhi has at least 100 volunteers but so far only around 40 people have been active.
“Kung magkinahanglan na og support, storya capable ni sila pero kung hilanglan og professional intervention ila ning refer ni sa tong mga counselors, psychologists,” she said.
Pagpakabuhi also launched its hotline numbers intended for suicide prevention and emotional crisis management: Sun – 09326664050, Smart – 09214894582, Globe – 09568249997, Smart – 09214876815 and Globe – 09266112776.
Meanwhile, Yap pledged to extend “100 percent” support for the organization which Em-em said would allow them to link their organization with the government particularly the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
The collaboration will allow Pagpakabuhi to source free medication through the government which is mandated by law to provide free mental health assistance.
“Libre na ang mga medication for mental health sa DOH (Department of Health) and ipaagi man na sa PHO so posibli na og ma-link makapangayo ta og assistance because the governor is already aware,” she said.
Since mid-2019, the government and various sectors including the Catholic Church have expressed concern over the spate of suicide cases in the province.
The incidences sparked a widespread drive to promote mental health awareness, giving birth to organizations like Pagpakabuhi and Project Bohol: Mental Health Awareness, a non-professional mental health organization.
Project Bohol, mostly comprised of youth members, hosts support groups and seminar-workshops on anxiety, depression, self-awareness and other mental health concerns. (A. Doydora)