With prolonged social isolation and increasing anxiety caused by the pandemic, keeping your mental health in check is essential as caring for your body.
Living with quarantine protocols takes a toll on our well-being as we are forced into social isolation and by effect, experience loneliness. The latter has been linked to psychological problems like depression, irritability, negative thoughts, and hopelessness.
Even with spending longer time in confined spaces, it rouses conflicts and, at times, domestic violence. China, for instance, witnessed a rise in divorces and separations in the pandemic, with reasons extending beyond lockdown measures.
With increasingly stressful events, including other pandemic-related consequences such as job loss and death in the family, seeking mental health care has to be prioritized. Here are some of the mental health centers in Manila offering psychological help, from basic counseling to psychotherapy.
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St. Luke’s Medical Center
The Department of Psychiatry of the hospital provides psychiatric assistance in coping with traumatic events, substance addiction, and depression. Apart from these, they also offer services in management, psychiatric help for children, adolescents, and the elderly, consultation-liaison for mood and anxiety disorder clinic.
For inquiry and booking appointment, contact 8-789-770 ext. 2013. You may also visit their Facebook page.
Makati Medical Center
While the hospital’s clinic of psychology specializes in conditions associated with the nervous system, their subspecialty clinic offers psychiatric services. The Mood and Anxiety Resource and Referral Center (MARRC) recommends treatment for clients with such mental health concerns. Emergency referrals are not accepted so it is best to book an appointment first.
For booking appointments, contact +632 8888 8999 loc. 7320. MARRC is open from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. You may also visit their Facebook page.
PsychConsult, Inc.
The psychological firm focuses on assisting clients in their holistic growth through different services. They have several categories of psychotherapy, including individual, group, couples, and yoga. Each targets problems such as mid-life issues, mood disorders, uncontrolled tempers, and relationship or marital problems.
For children and adolescents, they can take the option of Play Therapy. Here, they can “play out” their overwhelming feelings and experiences in a safe and affirming environment. This can be done individually or by a group.
For inquiry and appointments, contact +632 8421-2469, +632 8692-9844 or +63 9178080193. You may also visit their Facebook page.
Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services
From the Psychology Department of Ateneo de Manila University, the center offers a wide range of services for individuals and communities. This includes psychological assessment, group workshops, and intervention programs like learning about mindfulness, anger management, and coping strategies for stress.
Since April this year, the center offers free consultation open to Filipino adults ages 18 and above. However, they have temporarily closed their online psychological services due to the high volume of clients. For urgent cases, they encourage calling emergency hotlines.
For other inquiries, visit their Facebook page .
DFS Consulting
For counseling, psychotherapy, and hypnotherapy services, DFS specializes in common concerns like family issues, grief and loss, low mood and demotivation, personal development, self-confidence, priorities and purpose, and work-life balance. Consultation is by appointment and, given the pandemic, the center is only accepting online meetings. Clients have the options to chat, do a voice call, or do a voice and video session.
For private booking appointment, fill out this form. You may also visit their Facebook page.
The Medical City
This Pasig hospital’s Psychiatric Unit handles emergency cases and admits patients with round-the-clock monitoring. For non-urgent concerns, psychotherapy and psychopharmacology services are available. They also have specialized programs like Outpatient Group Therapy, Lifestyle Assessment and Management Program (LAMP), and Outpatient Detoxification Package for those dealing with substance-related issues.
For inquiry, contact (632) 8988-1000 to 7000. You may also click here to book a telemedicine appointment.
Emergency Hotlines:
As mentioned, many counseling centers have a long waitlist. For immediate and especially life-threatening concerns, here are some of the numbers you can call.
DOH-NCMH Hotline: 0917-899-8727 or (02) 7989-8727
Natasha Goulbourn Foundation Hopeline: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673, and 02-8804-4673
In Touch Crisis Line: 0917-800-1123, 0922-893-8944, and 02-8893-7603
Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.: 0917-565-2036/37 or 8921-4958/59
Manila Lifeline Center: (02) 896-9191 or 0917-854-9191
