BAGUIO CITY — The City Health Services Office (CHSO) has observed a significant rise in individuals openly seeking consultations for mental health issues.
This increase reflects growing public awareness of the available interventions and support services.
CHSO Mental Health and Substance Use Program coordinator Ricky Ducas reported that mental health consultations at the office rose from over 300 in 2023 to 981 last year.
This significant increase indicates growing public awareness of available programs that address mental health concerns.
He claimed that among the problems of individuals seeking mental health consultations from the CHSO are depression, bipolar disorders, anxiety and schizophrenia.
The CHSO official stated that most individuals seeking mental health consultations are females and non-Baguio residents.
This trend reflects their awareness of the importance of professional care in preventing their condition from worsening, which could otherwise lead to serious health risks or even life-threatening situations.
Ducas reported a significant increase of over 600% in individuals returning for follow-up consultations and medication refills.
This rise indicates that more people with mental health conditions are actively seeking continued medical advice and treatment.
He also assured that the CHSO has sufficient medication for those in need.
However, he emphasized the importance of proper assessment by health experts to determine the appropriate prescriptions and follow-up schedule.
Regular check-ups help prevent conditions from worsening, reducing the risk of self-harm or other serious consequences.
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