‘What is puzzling is that most affected by mental health issues are on top of the class’ - Dep-Ed Apayao

Luna, Apayao - The Schools Division Office in Apayao on Tuesday, July 1, disclosed mental health concern remains the major issue affecting mainly high school learners in the province.

In an interview with SDS Dr. Irene S. Angway, she said ongoing challenges being faced include reading and numeracy, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, senior high school dropout, and mental health as the top problem.

‘‘What is puzzling to us and difficult to reconcile for those learners affected with mental health issue is that mostly are on top of the class, and they are the ones fortunate in life. We really have to delve into the deeper root cause of the matter, ‘’ Angway said, stressing its urgency although there have been existing interventions and programs initiated by the SDO and other partner agencies to address particular issues.

According to PHO- Apayao, mental health associated problems may include depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, schizophrenia, bipolar, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and any relative indications on the emotional, pschological, and social-well being impacting how an individual think, feel and act.

The SDS did not mention numbers of identified individuals in certain schools suffering from mental health, however she stated that it is becoming alarming among parents, teachers and stakeholders as there were reported instances of self-harm.

Other modes of learning made accessible

Driven by her commitment to quality education amidst aforesaid struggles, Angway encouraged learners who are experiencing mental health problems to access the contextualize learning delivery mode or the Expanded Classroom without Borders, one of DepEd Apayao’s intervention where learners could cope with their studies according to their preferences via face to face set up, modular or online learning.

Further, the Apayao PLGU led by Governor Bulut recently launched a Mental Health and Abuse Crisis Helpline which fall under the Anti-Abuse Council Converging Towards Humanitarian Action and Oneness (AHON) of Cong. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang with the YAKAP, through its coordinator Rev. Adel Agcaoili. Said initiative was designed to provide learners especially those in remote areas on-time and guaranteed reporting of abuse and mental health related concerns.

Last year, Apayao logged 17 suicide cases in the first semester alone. Initial consolidated report from the Apayao PHO showed the new suicide cases in the Province are mostly linked to mental health problems. Most of the casualties are female.

Among the 17 victims, 9 were within the age range 11-19 years old, while 8 of them were between 20-40 years old, based on the reports from Rural Health Units in the province.