DSWD says no mental health concerns among typhoon victims

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development assures that there are no manifestations of mental health problem among typhoon Yolanda survivors in northern Cebu.

This after the World Health Organization released a statement that at least 800,000 survivors of the typhoon have suffered from different levels of mental health problem.

The displaced typhoon victims are reportedly suffering from common or serious mental health disorders like hallucinations, excessive anxieties, social withdrawal, changes in eating or sleeping habits, strong feelings of anger, substance abuse, excessive complaints of physical ailments, frequent outbursts of anger, hyperactivity, persistent nightmares and frequent temper tantrums.

Jenny Abastillas, Social Disaster Risk Reduction Management Focal Person, said that the victims might have experienced trauma but are now coping up and are working hard to bounce back from the disaster.

Abastillas said there is no need for them to conduct debriefing sessions because those who were affected by the typhoon in Cebu are no longer displaced.

“Sa Cebu alone I think di na necessary kay people are thinking of the rehabilitation that we are trying to work out now pero kung sa Leyte hinuon I think naa pay daghang displace ngadto,” she said.

Abastillas acknowledged the help of teachers trained in psycho-social intervention who helped DSWD in conducting sessions with children.

“We only have 20 personnel who are trained how to debrief and we are aiming to ask funding for new personnel next year,” Abastillas said.

On the other hand, Dr. Julie Hall, WHO country representative in the Philippines, said there is a possibility that the super typhoon survivors may again experience depression and other mental health problems with the commemoration of the first year anniversary of the tragedy on November 8.

“Recurring emotional reactions … reminders such as rain can trigger upsetting memories of the critical incident,” she said.

However, about 70 trained health professionals and almost 300 community workers are ready to attend to these concerns in areas devastated by Yolanda.

The Department of Health is also providing basic training for psychosocial care for community workers on how to diagnose and manage common and serious mental health disorders.  (FREEMAN)