The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to "be kind to each other" as it recognized the rise of depression and anxiety during the holiday season.
In a press conference at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC), DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa mulled including surveillance of depression and anxiety during the holiday season.
"Maybe next year we'll address the mental health situation of Filipinos, such as depression and loneliness," Herbosa said in Filipino.
During his 40-year stint as a trauma surgeon and emergency medicine physician, Herbosa noted that there are patients who would come to the emergency rooms to complain about chest pain or difficulty in breathing, but they are really suffering from their mental health.
"They're lonely, their families are elsewhere. They are sad during Christmas... Especially now in the era of social media. They would see their friends with their families, happy. Or like they are stuck in the city because they are studying here and couldn't go to the province, so they are lonely," Herbosa said.
"Meanwhile, some are heartbroken, so it also contributes to their loneliness this holiday season. Even in reunions, they would also see family members whom they don't like because they judge them or ask them questions such as 'When are you going to have a girlfriend or a boyfriend?' or 'Why don't you have any kids yet? So let's be kind to each other. Let's be sensitive to how others would feel," he added.
The Health chief stressed that mental illness is also like a physical sickness, like a cough and fever.
"If you're lonely, if you have anxiety, depression, seek a physician's help," he added.
If you know someone suffering from depression, encourage them to use the 24/7 National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline by calling 1553 or mobile numbers like 0917-899-8727, Hopeline: (02) 8804-4673, 0917-558-4673, or In Touch: Crisis Line: +63 2 8893-7603, 0917-800-1123.