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| Tacloban LGU's new PROTECT program aims to enhance youth mental health with peer support groups, addressing rising mental health issues among adolescents. |
TACLOBAN CITY – The City Health Office, in partnership with the Department of Health Eastern Visayas–Center for Health Development, launched the PROTECT (Peer Reaching Out To Empower Children and Youth of Tacloban) initiative in a two-day seminar held on August 21-22, 2024.
The PROTECT program is a major component of the local government's Health Promotion Playbook on Mental Health. It aims to improve the psychosocial well-being of youth through peer support groups and targeted interventions.
Acting Health Officer Dr. Gloria Fabrigas highlighted that PROTECT seeks to tackle the increasing mental health challenges faced by adolescents. The initiative will provide tools for youth to promote mental wellness and establish a referral network for those needing additional support. This move addresses the growing concerns over suicide, anxiety, and depression observed in recent years.
The seminar featured interactive games and lectures to familiarize participants with PROTECT's objectives. Attendees included representatives from the Department of Education, Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines, Allied Care Experts Medical Centers (ACEMC), Dream Quest International, Christian Compassion Ministry, Barangay 81 residents, and local schools and universities.
Dr. Fabrigas emphasized the importance of mental health, stating, "Health is not health without mental health." Dr. Mary Grace Tan Uy from ACEMC echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of cross-sector collaboration by saying, "It takes a village to raise a child."
Dr. Elvira Casal, representing Mayor Alfred Romualdez, assured attendees that an ordinance will be developed to ensure the sustainability of the PROTECT initiative. —iTacloban (Source: CIO)