Fire Bureau, Mental Health Center Launch 24/7 Hotline in PH
The Philippines’ Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), in collaboration with the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), has initiated a 24/7 mental health hotline, which will be pilot tested in Metro Manila. The hotline (09624584-BFP or 0962 4584 237), launched at the BFP Central Office in Quezon City, is intended to provide timely counseling to individuals experiencing mental health issues.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. highlighted the necessity of the initiative, noting the frequent calls BFP receives regarding self-harm attempts. He emphasized the importance of prevention over response, aiming to address mental health concerns before they escalate to crisis levels.
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He was quoted as saying that the joint project with the BFP recognizes their unique capacity to respond to suicide attempts due to their manpower and specialized skills. “However, preventing these incidents is more effective than merely responding to them,” he said.
Abalos stressed the program’s life-saving potential by intervening before a crisis occurs. He pointed out that the isolation policies during the Covid-19 pandemic have exacerbated mental health issues, with around 3.6 million Filipinos suffering from various mental health conditions according to the Department of Health (DOH).
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Category: Community
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