THE city government of Las Piñas launched an awareness campaign among residents in addressing adolescent issues on mental and reproductive health with the theme “Kalungkutan ay Agapan, Kabataan ay Protektahan”.

Mayor Imelda Aguilar said around 400 participants composing high school and senior high school students, out of school youths and the Sangguniang Kabataan joined the program that was held at the Verdant Covered court in Barangay Pamplona 3.

Aguilar said that Vice-Mayor April Aguilar and Alelee Aguilar-Andanar participated in the kick-off project of the city government’s mental health awareness.

She said the “Mental Health Awareness” was organized by the City Health Office (CHO) under the supervision of Dra. Julie Gonzales that aims to build community resilience in attending mental problems of residents especially the students, youths and adolescents for treatment and counseling.

Dra. Gonzalez, for her part, said the mayor wanted to come out with a project in helping persons with mental issues brought by the COVID-19 pandemic that was experienced not only in the country but whole world as well.

Gonzalez said the Department of Education (DepEd) joins in the noble project of Aguilar that could help most especially the students who suffered mental issue after shifting from the previous face-to-face to virtual learning during the pandemic.

“Mayor Aguilar is very much supportive to the health of every resident especially among the youth which is part of her health advocacy,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzales said Metro Manila Center for Health Development-Department of Health (MMCHD-DOH) Regional Director Aleli Grace Sudiacal commended the initiative of the city government in the implementation of the city’s mental health awareness program.

She added that even if it is very hard to attain, the mayor is wishing zero number of mental health issues among the city residents.

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Edd Reyes