---

With the current circumstances of the pandemic and the challenges of reaching out via online platforms, mental health services remain lacking in various aspects. 

The struggles of our healthcare infrastructure are manifested through the lack of professionals in the field of psychology, limited access to mental health services, and the lack of funds, facilities, and offices. As the pandemic rages on, a growing number of students, faculty, and staff in the University of the Philippines Diliman are in need of mental health services, advice, and psychotherapy that could help them overcome issues and problems affecting their mental health and well-being. 

Many UP students are already availing and calling for psychotherapy and mental advice under the remote learning setup. 

Paola Jimari Cabrera, a second-year psychology major, attempted to reach out to UPD Psych Serv to consult for mental health concerns. She admitted, however, that the online setting became a hindrance in seeking help. Professional help for mental health concerns can be very costly as it is a developing field in the Philippines. Nevertheless, Paola reached out to Psych Serv as her “first and only” option as a student.

After signing up, Paola waited almost a one month to receive a scheduled slot for a session.

“When you sign up, you only have 8 free sessions (and you get another 8 when you sign up again, but due to the volume of people signing up for PsychServ, it would take a month or two before they get back to you again.” Paola said. 

Moreover, Paola admitted that it’s very incredibly short to tackle one’s multiple experiences even if the patient is not diagnosed with anything. If you sign up, psychserv will eventually ask your main concerns and meet the first session to establish the main goals. Additionally, they would be focusing on the specific area on what’s the problem and branching out if the things go well. 

Despite the long wait, Paola was given enough time to address her concerns and made the most out of her sessions.

“It takes a long time for them to get back to you. It takes about 1-2 months before it’s your turn to get sessions. It could be hard for people who have more serious conditions/situations and they need help as soon as possible.” Paola said.

Working hours in Psych Serv are very limited, every one could reach out and contact their services from only 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, somehow a class hour for some UP Students. This amount of time services would be challenging for every one since some of the time sessions are between the classes and deadlines.

Although Paola was unable to have all her concerns addressed through Psych Serv, she felt better after completing her sessions a few weeks ago.

Paola also asserted that it is okay to seek help and reach out, since many students are afraid to be judged and discriminated against. However, mental health services and psychotherapy should be prioritized even without an all-consuming pandemic.  

“I think it’s a misconception that you need to have an actual condition/illness to go to therapy / get professional help (this is also what I was told in one of my first sessions). In my case, I wasn’t diagnosed with any mental condition such as anxiety or depression, but my emotional conflict and how it weighed me down was very much real and existing, and it did get in the way in meeting my responsibilities. As my therapist said, you don’t have to be actually sick to attend therapy — any mental and emotional conflict or life problems are already valid reasons to get help.”she said.

Assessing a person’s  mental condition takes a long time. The Psych Serv can definitely improve programs and services that serve as the liaison in providing free telepsychotherapy, mental and psycho-social well-being services. However, budget constraints and limited manpower hinder Psych Serv from achieving better, reliable and faster services for the UP community. 

UPD Psych Serv: A work in progress

Despite PsychServ’s struggles, it is undeniable that many of those who availed of its mental health services are satisfied with their progress. For instance, Paola agreed that PsychServ was really helpful during these trying times. 

“I think my positive experience with PsychServ isn’t an isolated case. When I ask my friends who also took their services, they also say similar thoughts so I think you don’t have to worry much if things do not go well!” Paola said.

Also, a Physics major in UP Diliman who received mental health services for almost three and half years says that PsychServ helped him in achieving a peace of mind and improved his mental well-being tremendously.

“I can only say good things about Psych Serv. As I said before, it’s with them that I improved a lot in my mental health, not to mention that I really love my PsycServ therapist! She’s really understanding, professional, and really just guides you with whatever you’re going through,” he said. 

He adds that trusting and confiding with a psychiatrist or counselor is not easy. However, the counselors in Psych Serv are kind, compassionate, understanding, and certified professionals.

“She (the psychiatrist) made a very welcoming and non-judgmental space for me. I shared thoughts and events that didn’t put me in the best light, and I never felt judged for how I felt or how I acted. She never imposed herself nor her personal opinions or values on me. There were times I just straight-up mentioned things such as “will my parents find out if I talk about this?” or “I honestly have hesitations with therapy and how it works” and she would calmly explain / assure me which was really comforting. Paola added.

Meanwhile, mental health as a topic remains heavily stigmatized in the Philippines. However, if the nation is to survive this pandemic, access to quality mental health services is indispensable. 

Institutionalizing Mental Health Services

UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo’s vision in continuing the incorporate system of the PsychServ program and ensuring quality access to essential facilities and resources for the mental health needs of the whole UP community was still denoted until now. There is an expanded realization about the prerequisites for mental health awareness and standard services for the community to strive for a healthy psychological environment with  hope for the fulfillment of these promises, and more funding to address all of the concerns with enough manpower and accessible services. 

‘Okay’ is not enough, because the institution should empower the provision of free, quality and accessible mental health services by eliminating long waitlisting, providing a budget and strengthening mental health services, institutionalizing the UPD Psych Serv and ensuring manpower for the existing mental health providers. The immediate approval and response of concrete implementations of plans could help a good, multi-level access,  and better service for the UP Community.

Dolomite Sand is an egregiously and useless solution for mental health

Additionally, the supposed redevelopment and beautification of Manila bay has been denoted and is connected to the mental health concerns in the Philippines. The Duterte administration recently funded another mass of dolomite sand in the Manila Bay, completely disregarding the dire situation the Filipino masses have plunged into due to the aggravating economic and health crisis 

Apparently, it was said that “white-sand” makeovers will give boundless benefits for the mental health of the Filipinos.  Contrary to their claims, environmental experts opposed this alleged beautification of Manila Bay, since it would be expensive and vigorous to maintain, and is detrimental to the environment and to the health of the people.  

Having these insensitive mindsets makes the nation become poor when it comes to mental health concerns and services. In the middle of this pandemic, they should have allotted the rehabilitation fund to the COVID-19 response. The procurement and funding of mental health services, and other necessities for public health are much more important.  This band-aid and useless solution exacerbates the health sector’s bleak situation.

Instead of implementing wasteful and useless projects, we should not deprive mental health services from the Filipino masses, and ensure that pro-people policies are enacted for the promotion of mental health in the country. Combating the stigma and making quality mental health services accessible for all is essential for a society’s success.

Featured image courtesy of Global Voices.