IN time for the commemoration of the National Mental Health Week, the Department of Health (DOH)–Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) inaugurated on Wednesday the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) at the Batangas Medical Center.
Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated that the tasks of acute psychiatric in-patient care are to keep patients safe, assess and evaluate their problems, treat their mental illness, meet their basic care needs and provide physical health care within a period of days.
“Most persons with mental disorders don’t seek medical help. Kaya napakaimportante na malaman ang mga palatandaan upang mabigyan agad sila ng pangunahing lunas. Kadalasan sa ating pamilya o kamag-anak ay nagkakaroon tayo ng pakiramdam na ‘parang may hindi tama’ sa kanilang pag-uugali at pag-iisip, we must be able to recognize these signs before it comes full blown,” he emphasized.
“Mental health must begin in childhood. Dapat pangalagaan natin ang ating mga anak. They must grow up with the feeling of safety and security and protected from any harm,” he added.
Among the five most common mental disorders that can be treated in the APU are schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorder, and other psychotic disorders.
According to Dr. Anne Marie Pineda, chief of the Psychiatry Department of the Batangas Medical Center (BatMC), acute psychiatric inpatient hospitalization is a high level of care intended to meet the needs of individuals who exhibits emotional and behavioral signs that put them at risk of harm to themselves, or to others.
“Some individuals are incapable to render or unable to care for themselves. We have to confine them for treatment with the presence of a 24-hour staff complete with medication and supervision,” she explained.
The funding and construction of the APU building was made possible through the DOH Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP). It is a 10-bed unit that will provide treatment to more severely ill mental health patients, for a duration of less than 30 days. Patients required to have long-term care will be transferred to another facility with a higher level of care.
The opening of the APU will also complement the ongoing efforts of the mental health program of the regional office to reach out to persons with mental disorders through its “Kapit-Bisig Helpline” through https://www.facebook.com/kapit.bisig.helpline from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesdays and Thursdays where those who are stressed out due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other mental health concerns can seek help.
“The establishment of the APU in Calabarzon is the realization of DOH’s vision for BatMC to be a psychiatric center in the region,” Janairo said.