The city government here launched its extensive mental health education campaign involving communities and families through a fun run on Saturday.

The fun run, with distances of 3, 5 and 10 kilometers, is one of the activities under the Secure and Abuse-Free Environment network (SAFEnet), which primarily aims to address suicidal tendencies among the youth.

“We will not end here. This (fun run) is the starting point. Even if we were able to reach almost 20,000 people, we want to reach more because we believe that if every person has a concern for their family members, their friends, in their class, in everything, our problem on mental health will be solved,” Mayor Belen Fernandez said in an interview.

“Bullying or harassment or abuse happens even within the family,” she added.

SAFEnet was jointly conceptualized by the church, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education, and other national government agencies and other sectors, including the youth and their parents.

The city government started conducting meetings, orientations and training in February and has so far reached 20 percent of the youth and adult population.

“The local government is here to help regarding mental health. We have four psychometricians working 24 hours a day on different shifts. We have our city health office that also has a team that handles mental health,” she said.

Fernandez said consultations in the city’s mental health facility are free of charge.

DOH Ilocos Region Director Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco said they provide training to healthcare professionals, the youth, and school teachers to improve their knowledge on mental health.

She said they also encourage peer-to-peer support, good nutrition, exercise and adequate sleep for a better mental health.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, principal author and sponsor of the Philippine Mental Health Law (Republic Act 11036), attended the fun run and commended SAFEnet.

“This is the very important role of the local government unit. Because when we listen to the stories of victim-survivors of mental health concerns, of abuse, of other related problems, often the story of survivors, they do not necessarily go to a health facility. They run to their community, to the barangay, to the LGU, and of course to their families and relatives,” she said.

Hontiveros said the Universal Health Care Law also empowers mental health care with the provision of packages for consultations and medicines through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. (PNA)