Depression caused by heartbreak on the rise

MANILA, Philippines — Mental health advocates yesterday sounded an alarm over the rising incidence of depression arising from heartbreak.

The Healthy Philippine Alliance reported that the number of young Filipinos who felt depressive symptoms doubled from 2013 to 2021.

Citing findings of the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS), Youth for Mental Health Coalition chair Alyannah Lagasca noted that young Filipinos aged 15 to 24 years who felt depressive symptoms jumped sharply, as well as those who attempted to end their life, rose from three to seven percent.

Lagasca said YAFS findings also showed that 62 percent of youth who felt depressed did not reach out to anyone and only two percent sought help from professionals.

Data from the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) further revealed that close to 7,500 calls on their crisis hotline in 2021 came from individuals aged 18 to 30 years. Love or relationship problems were cited as the third most common reason.

“Whether it’s due to grief, regret, loss or break-up, a painful heartbreak can develop into a mental health condition if kept unmanaged,” Lagasca explained.

The state of a broken heart, she said, leaves a person with “almost unbearable emotion pain.”

She said persons with difficulty handling distress are more prone to developing depression and anxiety disorders.

“Emotional distress can be overwhelming especially to youth and young adults,” Lagasca pointed out.

When left disregarded and with no available support, Lagasca said, mental health conditions may develop.

“Worst case scenarios are inflicting self-harm or committing suicide, which we wish to prevent through better self and community care and improved service delivery,” she said.

But Lagasca said prioritizing self-care and self-love activities can help soothe the broken heart.

She advised those having love problems to stay connected with family and spend time in peace and calmness.

Writing in a journal, traveling and engaging in any activity of interest, Lagasca said, can also ease the mind and the heartache.

“Don’t be afraid to seek professional help. There are various helplines available that are a dial away,” Dr. Via Roderos of the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes stressed.

If you would like to talk to someone, call the NCMH toll-free crisis hotline by dialing 1553 for landline; for mobile, dial 0917-899-8727; 0966-351-4518, or 0908-639-2672.