Cagayan de Oro - In response to rising suicide cases, the city government of Cagayan de Oro will deploy mental health focal persons across its barangays. This initiative is part of a larger campaign to address depression and prevent suicides. Dr. Jaymee Pagaspas, psychosocial unit chief of the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), revealed during a media briefing on Wednesday that the city has recorded 47 suicide cases in the first three quarters of the year.
According to Philippines News Agency, Pagaspas stated that the deployment would initially cover 40 of the city's 80 barangays. These mental health focal persons will play a crucial role in identifying and guiding individuals facing mental health issues, providing initial care and assessment, and connecting them with CSWD services. A significant contributing factor to the city's suicide cases is family problems, with communication and handling of mental health issues within families identified as key challenges. To further support this initiative, CSWD has launched the "Telekonsulta" 24/7 hotline, which has received 262 calls, with a higher proportion of female callers (155) compared to male callers (107).