LIVE MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSION

The live discussion on mental health with Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Ms. Kylie Versoza (Miss International 2016), Dr. June Lopez, and Dr. Gia Sison was successfully organized by Youth for Mental Health Coalition wherein representatives from various organizations participated. It was aired on the Facebook page of Sen. Risa Hontiveros (facebook.com/hontiverosrisa) yesterday, May 29, 2017, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Gia Sison. They started on sharing their sentiments about the rampant stigma in the Philippines such as may topak, sira ulo, it’s all in your head, baliw, etc. Ms. Kylie pointed out the common misconceptions and distinguished sadness from depression. On the other hand, Dr. Lopez mentioned that stigma is an issue that people are coming out for help. Most people are afraid to seek help lest others might label them as may sira or other negative impressions that devalue them.

Added to the stigma, the mental health services and research in the Philippines are marginalized. Thus, mental health bill was drafted along with rights-based approach/legislation. This bill ensures that Filipinos will gain access to mental health services, protects the rights and welfare of people with mental health needs, incorporation of mental health in school’s curriculum, modernization of facilities, cascading the information and services down to the barangays, and other important things that will definitely help the people in the community to become psychologically healthy which eventually lead to better life and better country.

Highlights

There is an increasing number of cases which can be construed as people are becoming more aware of the importance of mental health. (Dr. June Lopez)

Making mental health mainstream helps people validate that what they are experiencing is normal. They will be compelled to research on their problems and search for options to alleviate it. Ms. Kylie stated the purpose of the bill is to know about the sickness, to acknowledge it as a sickness, and to take certain steps to cure it or to deal with it. She shared her personal accounts on depression and briefly discuss her online support group, “Mental Health Matters,” wherein she and her sister are one of the admins of the group. (Ms. Kylie Versoza)

People should be wary in taking advice from people regarding their problems such as receiving “kaya mo yan” or “lilipas rin iyan.” Learn to recognize when to seek help. It is more important to seek help from mental health professionals. (Dr. June Lopez)

“Mentally disabled are probably the most vulnerable to abuses.” (Dr. June Lopez)

Suggested to try other alternatives that may help people alleviate stress and mental health condition such as yoga, meditation, reading self-help articles, self-affirmations, and others since it helped her recovered from depression. (Ms. Kylie Versoza)

The mental health professionals and other advocates are trying their best to make sure that service users are protected and free from all forms of inhumane and degrading treatment. (Dr. June Lopez)

Watch the message of Sen. Risa Hontiveros:

It's been two decades since the advocates started to fight for the rights of people to access mental health services. It's been a long fight and we still need to endure. We need to work hand-in-hand to make all these things turn into reality. Let’s show our support by signing the petition! Here’s the link:

Sign the petition

https://www.change.org/p/house-of-representatives-an-appeal-to-the-house-of-representatives-to-pass-the-philippines-first-mental-health-law?recruiter=724037297&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

Thank you, folks! Let's #EndtheStigma! Join us!

L-R: Dr. Gia Sison, Dr. June Lopez, Ms. Kylie Versoza, and Sen. Risa Hontiveros

Watch the full video of discussion here:

Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/hontiverosrisa/videos/10159005125095657/

Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/hontiverosrisa/videos/10159005199035657/

Like the pages of Mental Health Groups:

Youth for Mental Health Coalition

Link: https://www.facebook.com/YouthForMentalHealthCoalition/

Balik Kalipay Center for Psychosocial Response, Inc.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/BalikKalipayCenter/

Buhay Movement

Link: https://www.facebook.com/buhayph/

Mental Health PH

Link: https://www.facebook.com/mentalhealthphilippines/

Philippine Psychometrician Reviewer

Link: https://www.facebook.com/psychometricianreviewer/

RGO Psychology Review Center

Link: https://www.facebook.com/rgoblepp/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

Mental Health Services directory consolidated by the volunteers of Mental Health PH

Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i7rBdD5HlGdt8D3wXNtcfrnphf1sncK8iFpxwXOdotg/edit

#MHACTNOW 2017!

I'll join the live audience and I'll try to do live streaming! Join us on Facebook Live to talk about mental health and don't forget the hashtag #MHActNow 💙💚

PAGGAMIT NG BAGONG LENTE

Sa kulturang mahilig magbiro hindi maiiwasan ang konsepto ng pagkapikon.

Sa mga nangyayaring insidente sa bansa natin may ilan na pinipiling maging magaan ang sitwasyon. Kaya naman mapapansin na may iba na pinipiling magbigay ng biro o hugot. Bakit? Para pagaanin ang sitwasyon. Kung minsan, kapag napapahiya tayo hindi ba't kung minsan kumakamot ka tayo ng ulo sabay ngingiti ka sa kabila ng naranasan nating hindi magandang pangyayari? Bakit ganoon ang reaksyon natin kung minsan? Kasi ito ang paraan ng iba na mabawasan ang tensiyon.

Iba't-iba tayo ng reaksyon. Huwag nating asahan na pare-parehas tayo ng magiging pagtingin sa mga insidente kasi nga IBA-IBA tayo ng karanasan at may kanya-kanya tayong sinusuot na lente. Masyadong mababaw na magbigay ka ng panghuhusga sa kapwa mo na mababawa ang mga nagbibiro o humuhugot base lamang sa nababasa mo sa social media. Gaano ka ba kasigurado na wala silang pakialam? Gaano ka ba kasigurado na hindi sila nananalangin para sa ikabubuti ng lahat? Tandaan, may mga kaibigan at kamag-anak rin ang mga ito sa ibang lugar. Maaaring pinili lang nilang maglagay ng status na ganyan dahil sa ganyang paraan lang nila mababawasan ang pangit na pangyayari sa paligid. Masyadong toxic na ang mundo. Hindi ba? Saka ang pagbibiro (depende sa biro syempre) kung minsan ay isang indikasyong na ang isang tao ay intelehente.

Ang kababawan sa mga nababasa ko ay mga panghuhusga mula lang sa mga tao na hindi man lang sinubukang ilugar ang sarili nila sa sitwasyon. Tulad niyan, hindi ko naman pwedeng husgahan ang mga tao sa social media na may care sila sa kapwa nila sa pagsasabi lang ng #PrayforMarawi. Kasi masyadong limitado ang social media. Ganon rin sa kabila na hindi porket nagbiro sila o humugot ay wala silang pake. Ang mahirap sa atin kasi masyado tayong magaling.

Ang point ko: Huwag maghusga sa kapwa. Kaysa magreklamo bakit hindi natin subukan na pagaanin ang sitwasyon? Kung hindi mo gusto, unfriend at unfollow. Simple lang di ba. Masyadong malupit na ang mundo para magtalo tayo. Subukan mo ring magsuot ng panibagong lente.

Naiintindihan ko naman kung bakit may napipikon kasi nga sa kulturang mahilig magbiro hindi maiiwasan ang konsepto ng pagkapikon.

Basta ako, pipiliin kong maging masaya, keber ako sa iba basta tinitignan ko kung ano yung mas makabubuti. Magbibigay ako ng suhestyon kung kinakailangan at hindi ko na kailangan pang i-post lahat ng binabahagi ko sa iba.

Iyon lang. Qiqil si acoe.
Posted in my original facebook account.

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GLIMPSES OF THE PAST

I just saw a comment that abhorred the ideas of Sigmund Freud, particularly the psychosexual stages. He stated that it was the stupidest idea in parallel with Marx's. He even mentioned it was ONLY A THEORY.

My response to him:

If you only read textbooks, then you’re lacking some knowledge about his works.

Theory of gravity is still a theory today. Haha. But it doesn’t matter as long as it is validated, replicated by other studies, and its utility in the field. The theory of gravity is still open for change and if there are a parsimonious theory that could replace it in explaining some phenomena in the physical world, then they will choose it. THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF THEORY, THE BEAUTY OF SCIENCE.

The development of theories was indebted with the works of Freud. Without the courage of publishing controversial theory and concepts, the rise of intellectual spirits will never occur. It’s like telling the world that Democritus is bullshit because he only stated atoms are everywhere and it is physically indivisible. Do you think scientists will ever achieve this advanced knowledge without ideas from philosophers, like Democritus? Why do you think authors included them in textbooks? Isn’t a form of arrogance to state such shit without even trying to understand the theory itself?

We studied history to see the development of thoughts in our field, to pay our respects to the pioneers, and to look back on the zeitgeist of their time.

When we study behavior, do you even realize that we take a glimpse into the past of the person? Because it helps us understand his/her behavior. But, of course, it's not the whole picture. It only gives us another way of construing events and behavior at present.

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TRACING THE THOUGHTS

I'm planning to reread my book about systems and theories of Psychology and history of Psychology to trace the origin of thought.

I will also reread abnormal psychology and memorize the formula in psych statistics. I'm excited. I think these are baby steps to achieve my dream: to become a Psychologist.

May all the Universe conspires to help me achieve all these.

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MARKETING CRAP

Natapos ko yung isang video na nagsasabi na goal setting is pointless hahaha. Isang marketing strategy idea na naman daw na makakatulong sa tao.

Inisip ko kung naririnig ba ng speaker yung sinasabi niya?  I don't think goal setting is pointless. Ang kabuuan nga ng sinabi niya ay tungkol sa goals e. He emphasized the importance of end goals than mean goals. Naintindihan ko kung bakit kasi in Adlerian terms the behavior and personality are self-consistent. lol. Future goals guide our present behavior.

He talked as if his idea is new saka nakakainis lang na tanungin pa niya kung bakit ang students daw ay papasok sa law kung magiging miserable and stressed out sila.

So ano bang tingin niyan Hedonistic tayo ha? Sabi sabi pa siya na na-surpassed niya lahat ng bullsh*t basta magfocus lang sa end goals. lol. He is not being true to himself. Magaling lang siya mag-persuade.

Mahirap ang buhay. Wake up. Bakit mas pinipili ng mga students na mag law kahit na mahirap at maaaring miserable sila? Eh kasi nga may iba na passionate sila doon. Iba-iba tayo ng gusto at huwag mong itulad sarili mo sa'yo. Kung makapag down naman siya sa lawyer as if naman di siya nakikinabang sa tulong non. Sa lawyer, pwede ka rin magkaroon ng growth at contribution no. Bullsh*t na marketing style yan to elevate yourself.

So kapag ang end goal ko maging Psychologist pwede ba akong maging crap lang? No! Mahirap pero ipupursue ko 'to kasi sa magandang experience tulad ng kabullsh*tan na sinasabi mo na akala mo ikaw lang meron na magandang experience (ehem), growth (dynamic yun sa Psych tulad rin ng ibang field) at may contribution sa society. Kalokohan yun. Kapag psychologist ka nga ang dami mong role e. Kalokohan na maging stagnant ka doon sa pangarap mo.

Kung easy lang at shortcut sinasabi mo di ko alam kung maniniwala ako kasi self-defeating ka na. Bago ka makarating dyan sa pedestal mo katakot-takot na challenges rin ginawa mo.

Hindi mo pwedeng i-deny ang negative and difficult aspect ng buhay dahil kapag hindi mo tinignan iyon, nagsinungaling ka sa sarili mo.

Ayoko ng mga ganitong marketing strategy. Napaka Barnum lang, general lang ng statements niya e. Magaling lang sa impression management pero kalokohan.

Basta alam ko, huwag mong itutulad ang mga tao sa sarili mo, huwag mong subukan na hilahin ang iba para tumaas ka, at huwag kang magshortcut tapos.

Kalokohan na sabihin mong magiging fulfilling ang buhay at ma achieve ang growth gamit ang shortcut. Kagaguhan. Ang inconsistent na nga ng sinabi niya e.

Huwag magpaloko. Hays, humans.

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VISUAL CLIFF

I just saw a video wherein the kid was petrified by fear, unable to cross a transparent glass for he believed that it was a danger to him. Of course, his parents documented the incident before reaching out to a kid. (very usual phenomena these days that I think will make our race extinct, kidding)

The idea of depth perception of the kid amazes me. It actually reminds me of the visual cliff study of Gibson and Walk when they tested the depth perception of human infants (babies who just learned to crawl). They found out that adjusting the visual cliff as deep made the crawlers hesitate to crawl on a plexiglass toward their parents. It's amazing!

What makes this study amazing?
Imagine that 6 to 14 months old infants were never taught about the depth perception. They just knew that it's dangerous to cross a simulated cliff (believing it was an actual cliff).

Hence, the idea of inherent knowledge was somehow validated.  But I want to make it clear, nature and nurture are both vital. It works hand in hand.

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