With the spate of reported loneliness, depression and suicide among the youth in the Philippines, how is the Government handling this?
Although the country ranks 163rd among 183 countries in World Health Organization’s 2019 statistics where suicide occurs for every 100,000 population, the local health department still has to come out with more focused solutions (or prescriptions) to quell this occurrence. In the early part of this year, there had been 3,413 listed suicides where 4.3 percent are male and two percent are women. No distinction as to age had been reported but the ages from 18 to 35 had the highest suicide incidence in constant testimonies.
Statistics don’t lie.
Beyond Medicines, Policies
How about focusing on the total mental health state of citizens?
Evidently, the remedy is beyond medicines or current policies. An encompassing and long-term solution to address these must come together in finding rational, achievable and well-sustained well-being solutions. Coaching people towards a positive outlook for good relationships with family, friends and others and a healthy work-life balance.
Nations like United Arab Emirates, India and Nigeria already have their own Ministries of Happiness while Australia is in the process.
In 2008, a least developed landlocked Asian country, the Kingdom of Bhutan, began a worldwide movement to measure Gross National Happiness. That was the year when the world was facing a financial crisis. Bhutan sought alternatives.
Bhutan citizens were more focused on relationships, health, psychological wellbeing, good governance, next to economy and culture. Its government officials saw that contentment, control of mind and wants in life are main factors in having a positive mindset. For them, a compassionate society could be happier and more productive.
In this Himalayan monarchy, where education and healthcare is totally free, its leaders target 2023 to be on equal footing with more developed country in the region as it faces natural and man-made challenges in the face of lack of decent infrastructure.
To create a society where Filipino’s happiness is paramount is doable. The end of this is a more cursory look at the Filipinos’ greater societal contentment that government must seriously initiate to address the most pressing issues of the time: Mental Health.
Potential Cure For Societal Ills
If the Philippines starts looking at its gross national happiness index as the potential cure-all for societal ills that had been bedeviling developed nations even the war on drugs could be addressed.
A Department of Happiness – or a commission, to start with – could address the vast inequalities caused by this endless and futile drug war. This government office could challenge the entire philosophy behind this contentious and disappointing war on drugs.
A much-supported government office could probe why many Filipinos get depressed and lonely. Is it due to the dearth of family ties, the rising cost of living, education and health care support, more than poverty itself? Others may even look at a botched disability scheme or as far as renewable technologies.
Make the Balance Happen
There is a need to scrutinize the areas surrounding the youth and their future and their tolerance to stress and the environment. These could need reconsidering an administrative, economic and legislative system to make the balance happen. The formula is a development agenda based on core values led by youth and focused on a future in which everyone achieves happiness.
To create a society where Filipino’s happiness is paramount is doable.
The end of this is a more cursory look at the Filipinos’ greater societal contentment that government must seriously initiate to address the most pressing issues of the time: Mental Health.
