ILOILO City – To address the growing concern on the Ilonggos’ overall well-being, the city government re-launched its comprehensive mental health program.
Proactive interventions on mental health aim to ensure that no one is left behind, said Mayor Jerry Treñas who recognizes the importance of accessible mental health services.
He led the recent re-launching of Ginhawa 2.0 with program partners, city hall department heads and employees at the city hall grounds.
Ginhawa 2.0 focuses on responding to, preventing, and mitigating anxiety and depression to boost the mental health of city residents.
“Even before the pandemic, I was fully aware of the need to create and provide activities to address mental health issues. This was why, when I was still in Congress, I co-authored Republic Act 11036, also known as the Mental Health Law. With this, people now have an understanding of the importance of mental health,” said Treñas.
City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) head Donna Magno said Iloilo City is blessed to have mental health experts committed to pursue the mental health program. It started, she recalled, with the group of Dr. Cynthia Ticao and Prof. Jessica Dator-Bercilla who sought an audience with Mayor Treñas and presented a program that could address mental health issues.
Theirs is a framework on mental well-being and resilience aligned to the policies of the government where risk prevention, risk reduction and response activities are identified, said Magno.
Ticao and Dator-Bercilla now both lead the Iloilo City Task Force on Mental Health and Well-Being.
“With that concept, Mayor Treñas also champions this program. He knows the increasing concerns on mental health issues and has given us instruction to jumpstart the activities with massive reach. Ms. Raisa Treñas also supports our regular meetings and facilitates our network of supporters,” said Magno.
Ginhawa was first launched in 2020 but took a backseat in 2021 following face-to-face activities and the easing of the restrictions. But with the increasing cases of suicide, the city government sees the need for a more aggressive approach to address mental health concerns.
On Feb. 28, 2023 the city mayor ordered key members of the Technical Working (TWG) and other potential partners to discuss measures to move the mental health project forward.
Upon consultation and meeting of the core groups, strategies and activities were formulated aligned with the DAGYAW concept proposed by the TWG. Corresponding budgetary requirements were approved by the Iloilo City DRRM Council on March 16, 2023.
DAGYAW: Activation of Multiple Creative Hubs in the City Of Iloilo for Mental Health Well-Being and Resilience is a measure to avert the further decline of the mental health state of the youth, etc.
The program will continue to use the “whole of society and whole of government” approach in its mental health initiatives. It aims to engage partners from various sectors such as the academe, persons with disabilities sector, barangay councils, youth sector, media, city government offices, and private sector to collaborate towards improving mental health services in the city.
“Kay ang apektado amo man ang mga upod naton. Bululigan ta ini. Padayon kita sa paginhawa,” Mayor Treñas said.
Meanwhile, also part of Ginhawa 2.0 is the “Weekend Getaway” which provides exciting activities every weekend while making use of the city’s different plazas and well-known open spaces and tourist areas in partnership with various offices at city hall.
According to City Health Office’s Focal Person on Mental Health Dr. Rebecca Conlu-Gregorios, some planned activities are Tai Chi, a dog show, self-defense, puppetry, an arts workshop, a bonsai culture workshop, belly dancing, and ballroom dancing, among others.
Themed “Breathe in Faith”, the first-ever Weekend Getaway was held at the Jaro Plaza Gym in collaboration with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CRDDMO), the offices of Councilor Urminico M. Baronda Jr., Cong. Julienne Baronda, and Kasadyahan ELPSO Lady Eagles Club.
The first weekend activity aimed at promoting mental health among children by showing them the value of religion or spirituality.
The second Weekend Getaway was held at the most-visited Iloilo City Garden of Love. It was hosted by the City Mayor’s Office Media Team, The Iloilo City Public Library, Iloilo City Population Office, and Iloilo City Internal Audit Services Office.
Themed “Write Your Heart Out”, the team provided an Expression Wall where everyone could freely express their thoughts and feelings. There was also storytelling for children while the parents listened to a family planning session.
And there’s more. Entitled Ready Set Click: Capturing Smiles, Raising Awareness on Mental Health, the CMO Media Team treated the participants to a photoshoot.
Meantime, visitors who joined the photobooth had the chance to pick a breather sentence, and lucky winners received free facial and underarm laser hair removal from Bashara Aesthetics.
For Treñas, these exciting and unique mental health activities did not only bring joy to the attendees, but hopefully also gave them a chance to pause, reflect, and take a moment to focus on their mental well-being.
“We’re committed to providing innovative and meaningful events for our community, and we look forward to bringing even more opportunities for wellness and joy in the future,” said Mayor Treñas.
Meanwhile, by July, help will just a phone call or – text – away through a 24-hour hotline that will also be made available by the city government through the City Health Office. School- and community-based mental health projects will also be introduced./PN
