The Mandaue City government aims to launch a mental health hotline in September, coinciding with the observance of Suicide Prevention Month, to provide assistance to residents experiencing mental health concerns.
The planned rollout was discussed during a meeting on Friday, July 17, between Mayor Thadeo Ouano and trainers from the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), namely Gretchen Abejuela, Marc Neil Francilo, and Justine Fernandez.
During the meeting, NCMH representatives said that if the hotline is launched as scheduled, Mandaue City would become the first local government unit in the Visayas to implement such a mental health hotline.
Ouano said the initiative aims to address the growing number of people facing mental health challenges by providing an accessible channel for those seeking help.
He said personnel assigned to answer hotline calls must first undergo training and be qualified to assess callers before the service becomes operational.
The mayor also said the city will ensure that the necessary equipment is in place before the hotline is launched to allow responders to properly receive and assess calls.
Nino Dargantes, a representative of the Mandaue City Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office (MCSAMHSO), said psychometricians who will handle the hotline have already undergone training on responding to mental health distress calls.
Following the meeting, Ouano presented certificates of appreciation to the NCMH trainers for their support in preparing the city for the implementation of the program