The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday called on the public to exercise responsibility in handling persons with a mental health condition or those experiencing a psychosocial crisis.

“Every person who has a mental health condition or is experiencing a psychosocial crisis should be treated with dignity, respect, privacy, and utmost care. Their condition should never be used as a source of public spectacle, entertainment, or content to gain views on social media,” DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release.

Dumlao issued the statement as a reminder to the public, including members of the media and content creators, to avoid sensationalizing a person in a psychosocial crisis at their most vulnerable moment.

The DSWD spokesperson was referring to a viral video showing a concerned individual providing assistance to a person who appeared to have a mental disability.

She urged the public, media, and content creators to exercise responsibility in handling photos, videos, and personal information involving persons experiencing a psychosocial crisis and not to record, share, identify, or sensationalize people at their most vulnerable moment.

“We need to protect their dignity, not only as an act of compassion but also as part of upholding their human rights,” Dumlao said.

According to the DSWD spokesperson, having a camera and an audience does not remove the responsibility to respect another person’s privacy and dignity.

She said the pursuit of online views must never come at the expense of another person’s helplessness, as these forms of content may amplify stigma or cause harm to the person involved and their family.

Dumlao added that there are appropriate measures in assisting persons with disabilities to ensure that their rights are protected, and their overall welfare is given utmost concern.

Under Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, as amended by Republic Act No. 9442, any act that shames, ridicules, or vilifies persons with disabilities, whether in public or online spaces, is punishable by law.

Dumlao pointed out that while the DSWD does not prevent private individuals or groups from helping persons with mental health conditions, all aid efforts must strictly comply with existing laws and standards to guarantee protection and accountability. (PNA)