Health concerns of solo parents, addressed
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – While the rights and benefits of solo parents were highlighted during the recent Kapihan sa PIA at SM City Butuan, the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Filipino Family (RIAC-FF) chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga also addressed health concerns of the solo parent sector.
Ever Joy Rabadan, education supervisor of the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Caraga, said that apart from implementing
and providing educational assistance and scholarship programs to qualified
beneficiaries, the commission also conducts activities that address the mental
and psychosocial concerns of the dependents and the solo parents themselves who
are also studying.
“We conduct mental health awareness and financial
literacy seminars to CHED scholars and provide an avenue where they can also
air out their concerns and help them address them,” Rabadan said.
Maria Fe Casil, a solo parent from Butuan City and
an onsite viewer of the Kapihan sa PIA, expressed the need for concerned
government agencies to help solo parents experiencing depression by providing
counseling and psychosocial interventions.
“Nowadays, I feel like I am undergoing functional
depression. That’s why I’d like to know if our government has programs that
could help us overcome this,” Casil said.
In response, the Department of Health – Center for
Health Development (DOH-CHD) health program officer Roselle Bonggoyan conveyed
her appreciation to Casil for courageously admitting she needs counseling to
overcome her struggles and mental health issues.
Bonggoyan also revealed the availability of health
facilities with doctors who can assist solo parents like Casil.
“We have the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital,
DOH Wellness Clinic with our psychiatrist should you want to avail yourself of
it. I will help you with your appointment schedule,” Bonggoyan said.
Jessie Catherine Aranas, chief of the Protective
Services Division of DSWD Caraga, emphasized that the department implements the
“WiSUPPORT” Program, a wireless support system where anyone can call their
hotline and on-duty psychometricians will accommodate and assist solo parents
with their concerns.
“During these difficult times, it is best that we
intensify our advocacy campaign on mental health through different activities
to prevent cases of depression, stress, and many other problems. The DSWD has a
program under its Crisis Intervention Section,” Aranas said.
“You may also send your queries and concerns to our
WiSUPPORT platforms: wisupport.dswd.gov.ph; wisupport@dswd.gov.ph; and
Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support – WiSupport Program Facebook
page,” Aranas added.
Aranas further mentioned that under Republic Act 11861, otherwise known as the “Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act,” solo parents are not alone, and the government looks after their welfare and general well-being. (JPG, PIA Caraga)
