CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor Maximo Rodriguez called for improvements to the city’s Psychosocial Division, citing a rising number of male suicides and inadequate counseling facilities.
In a special report Thursday, August 7, Rodriguez, who chairs the committee on social services, said data from January to July 25 showed that 75% of suicide victims in the city were male.
He noted this was alarming since only 32% of calls to the city’s mental health hotline came from men, while 62% were from women.
Rodriguez said the current psychosocial unit is unsuitable for counseling services.
“The building is overlooking the Cagayan de Oro river, that reminded me that something must be done,” Rodriguez said.
He added that the office lacks privacy, is on the third floor, and does not have designated rooms for counseling and special education assessments.
Rodriguez also pointed out that the division lacks a stable internet connection for its 24-hour hotline, which is operated using a single mobile phone. He added that the five to nine members of the division share one computer and do not have a service vehicle.
Rodriguez asked Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez if it was possible to secure a service vehicle for the division.
Councilor Desiree Dahino, chair of the committee on women, youth, and health, commended the proposal, calling the situation “disheartening but not surprising.”
She asked about the possibility of providing incentives for the city’s psychologists.
Rodriguez said the division’s annual budget of P800,000 needs to be increased. The matter has been referred to a committee hearing.
