Free therapy for mental health philippines

Deborah C. Escalante

Suicide rates in the Philippines increased by 25.7% according to the latest figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for 2020.

PSA also recorded 3,529 deaths due to “intentional self-harm,” making it the 27th leading cause of death in the previous year.

To help everyone who are struggling in these trying times, here are five organizations that offer free counseling and psychiatric consultations.

1. National Center for Mental Health

With the help of #MentalHealthPH, the National Center for Mental Health offers free psychiatric consultation open to everyone.

Their services are accessible 24/7 to also accommodate those who need immediate guidance.

They also give free basic counseling, psychological first aid, suicide prevention and referral to psychiatrists and psychologists.

You may reach them through (02)79898727 or 09178998727.

2. Philippine General Hospital

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) offers free psychiatric consultation and counseling services done through personal checkups.

Set an appointment and wait for a representative to confirm your schedule. To set an appointment, go to their website. 

The PGH is located at Taft Ave., Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila.

3. Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services

The Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services offer free psychiatric consultation and a brief psychological service for their patients.

The brief psychological service is one to two sessions of short-term counseling offered by their responders. This is open to adults.

To set an appointment, simply fill-out their online form.

The Ateneo Bulatao Center also has a psychotherapy service offered by licensed psychologists and therapists to help address personal mental health concerns, socio-emotional, or psychological functioning.

The initial fee costs P2,500 then succeeding sessions are P2,000 each. To schedule an online appointment you may fill out the online form. 

Both services are done online.

4. Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center

The Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center offers free basic psychiatric consultation and counseling services for adult residents of Marikina and Rizal areas.

The services are done through a video call. To book an appointment, message them through their Facebook page.

5. University of the Philippines Diliman Psychosocial Services

The University of the Philippines Diliman Psychosocial Services (UPD PsycServ) is offering free counseling or psychotherapy services.

This is available for currently enrolled UP Diliman students, faculty and staff.

To avail of this, just send a text or Viber message to 09063743466 or 09167573157 with your name and concern.

You can also accomplish a form to receive a call from a PsycServ volunteer from Monday to Friday,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Not ready to make that call just yet? Here are 8 ways to cope, according to the Psychological Association of the Philippines. — LA, GMA News

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many people’s mental health because of the countless adjustments to this “new normal.” This adjustment meant the lack of physical contact with loved ones, work-from-home setups, and even temporary unemployment. According to a scientific brief released by the World Health Organization, the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide increased by 25% during the first year of the pandemic. LGUs are advised to take advantage of these free mental health services or their residents:

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1. Philippine General Hospital

Services: Free Psychiatric Consultation and Counseling

Contact Number/s: (02) 554-8400 loc 2436 or 2440(02) 554-88470, (02) 526-0150, and (02) 554-8469

Address: Taft Avenue Ermita, Brgy. 670 Zone 72, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Book an appointment: https://pghopd.up.edu.ph/

2. National Center for Mental Health | NCMH Crisis Hotline

Services: 24/7 Free Basic Counseling, Psychological First Aid, at Suicide Prevention. Free Online Psychiatric Sessions, Free Psychosocial Support

Contact Number/s: (02) 79898727 or 09178998727

NCMH Hotline: 1553 Nationwide landline-toll free

Smart/SUN/TNT Subscribers: 0908-639-2672

‍Globe/TM Subscribers: 0966-351-4518

‍Online contacts:

Email: [email protected]

‍Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ncmhcrisishotline

‍Book an appointment:

Website: https://ncmh.gov.ph/#e-konsultasyon

‍E-konsultasyon program link: bit.ly/ncmhkonsulta

3. Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services

Services: Free Brief Psychological Services, limited number of slots for registration provided every Thursday. The registration form opens at 10 am and automatically closes once all slots are taken.

Address: Rm 103A Bellarmine Hall, Ateneo De Manila University 1108 Quezon City, Philippines

Online contacts:

Email: [email protected]

‍Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BulataoCenter/

‍Book an appointment: http://bit.ly/BPSBulatao

4. UGAT SandaLine

Services: Free Psycho-emotional Support

Online contacts:

Messenger: http://m.me/ugat.sandaline.35

Skype: [email protected]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UGATSandaLinePage

‍Book an appointment: Open daily by 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, First come first serve.

5. Mental Health First Responder

Services: 24/7 Free emotional support/ peer support through video call.

Online Contacts:

Website: https://www.mhfirstresponse.org/

‍Email: [email protected]

‍Book an appointment: Contact them online

It’s a difficult time. We’re in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and while it’s normal to feel fear and anxiety, the emotional toll it brings can be too much to handle alone. 

Instead of worrying about things beyond your control, you can take concrete steps to help yourself manage your anxiety, fears, and stress. Here’s a list of organizations that offer free counseling services online and via call. 

 

National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline (NCMH-USAP)


Philippine Mental Health Association Online Support


Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services

Provides online counseling and Psychological First Aid 

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Email: [email protected]
Website: ateneobulataocenter.com


Philippine Psychiatric Association: Mind Matters

GrayMatters Psychological and Consultancy, Inc. Philippines 

Gives free online peer and family support


In-Touch Community Services

24/7 crisis line for the mental wellness of all health and safety frontliners

 

LUZON

SLU- Sunflow Children and Youth Wellness Center, Baguio City 

 

The De La Salle University Dasmarinas Center for Applied Psychology

Offers telepsychology services

 

VISAYAS

Offers mental health support services

 

Offers psychosocial support services

 

MINDANAO

Camp Navarro General Hospital, Health Service Center, Health Service Command AFP 

Offers telepsychology services in Calarian, Zamboanga City


Psycli-nik psychological assessment and intervention services 

NZUE Building 3rd floor, Room 3030 Tomas Claudio Street, Zamboanga City 

Offers telepsychology services 


The HOFFEN CLINIC (Center for Mental Health and Psychosocial Development) 

Adventist Hospital Davao

 

Learning how to cope with stress in this time of crisis will make you and the people you care about stronger and more positive. Stay safe! 

 

COVID-19 has impacted people’s mental health around the world and created anxiety in otherwise healthy individuals. 

In 2020, before the pandemic hit, WHO reported that more than 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression, making it the leading cause of disability. 

According to a study published earlier this year, in the US alone, “about 4 in 10 adults have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder.” That’s almost half of the US population. 

In the Philippines, the Department of Health has continued to report that the COVID-19 pandemic, which upended livelihoods and routines, continues to exert a toll on the mental health of Filipinos.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the deaths in 2020 due to intentional self-harm grew by 25.7%, making it the 27th leading cause of death last year. 

Depending on the patient, doctor and facility, the cost of mental health counseling in Metro Manila can range between P1,000 and P4,500 per session—and the frequency or need for such counseling varies.  

To seek professional help amid these trying times, here’s a list of mental health care facilities that offer psychiatric help—some for free, some for a fee. 

1. National Care for Mental Health (NCMH) 

Contact: 5319001, 09178998727

Website: www.ncmh.gov.ph

Cost: Consultation fee is P400. 

Address: Nueve de Pebrero St., Mauway, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

The National Care for Mental Health offers free basic counseling, psychological first aid, and suicide prevention. The NCMH has also opened their “E-konsultasyon” program wherein you can have free online psychiatric sessions. 

2. Philippine General Hospital (PGH)

Contact: 85548400

Website: www.pghopd.up.edu.ph

Cost: Free consultation 

Address: 2/F Ward 7, 1730 Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila 

PGH provides free psychiatric consultation and counseling services through personal check-ups. Long queues are expected since this is a public hospital, but consultations are available for 24 hours. 

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3. Ateneo Bulatao Center 

Contact: 426-5982, 426-6001 local 5268

Website: www.ateneobulataocenter.com

Cost: Brief Psychological Service (BPS), free; psychotherapy, initial fee costs P2,500 while the succeeding therapy costs P2,000 per session. 

Address: Ateneo de Manila University, Bellarmine Hall, Father Masterson Drive, Katipunan Ave, Quezon City, 1108 Metro Manila

The Ateneo Bulatao Center offers  counseling therapy, assessment, and training workshops for children, adolescents and adults. Due to a high number of clients, they have temporarily closed their sign-up form for their BPS. You may, however, visit their Facebook page for more updates. They also post mental health tips and reminders that may help you during times of crisis. 

As for their regular paid psychotherapy session, you may fill up this form. These sessions are conducted by licensed psychologists and therapists to help you address mental health concerns. 

4. Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center (ARMMC) 

Contact: 89480595, 89410342

Website: www.armmc.doh.gov.ph/ or www.facebook.com/armmcpsychiatry

Cost: Free consultation

Address: Sumulong Highway Sto. Nino, Marikina City

Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center’s acute psychiatric unit offers free basic psychiatric consultation and psychological testing. 

5. UST Graduate School’s Psychotrauma Clinic 

Contact: 4061611 local 4012 

Cost: Free evaluation

Address: España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila

This clinic offers free psychological services including assessment, evaluation, counseling, group or individual therapy of the patient. The clinic is open from Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

6. UP-Diliman Psychosocial Services (UPD PsycServ)

Contact: You can send them a text or Viber message through 09063743466 or 09167573157 

Website: www.facebook.com/updpsycserv or https://bit.ly/PsycServRC 

Address: 209B Lagmay Hall, Roxas Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City

The University of the Philippines Diliman Psychosocial Services provides free counseling and psychotherapy sessions. They are currently offering free telepsychotherapy services to COVID frontliners, COVID-positive individuals, relatives of the frontliners, and anyone who is deeply affected and disturbed by the pandemic. 

In need of daily tips on how to manage yourself and others throughout this pandemic? UPD PsycServ also offers a variety of infographics that may help you overcome your problems. Visit their Facebook page. 

7. GrayMatters Psychological and Consultancy, Inc. Philippines 

Contact: 8938 0726, 0917 709 6961 

Website: www.graymattersportal.ph

Alabang branch: Penthouse A, South Gate Building, Finance Drive, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City 1780

Makati branch: Unit 408, Plaza I, La Fuerza, Chino Roces, Makati City 

GrayMatters provides mental health care services in the Philippines. They have various resources such as e-learning, digital assessment, and online counseling and consultation. They also provide online private consultations for therapy with licensed therapists. 

They also give tips on how to cope with stressful times, dealing with anxiety, self-care and many more. Visit their Facebook page.  

8. Mental Health First Responders (MHFR) 

Contact: 0995 356 5332

Website: www.mhfirstresponse.org/ 

Mental Health First Responders provides emotional and peer support only through online private sessions. The volunteers and mental health professionals will meet you via a phone call (online, phone, or text) to help you reduce your fears and anxiety during the pandemic. If you are interested, you may visit this form to sign up. 

Peer support services are free. If the volunteer deems you need a licensed counselor, psychologist, or a master-level clinical intern, their fees will be adjusted depending on your financial capacity. The fees may range from P500 to P2,000.

(Thumbnail and banner photo from Shutterstock)

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