Science and reason

MANILA, Philippines - Recent political events focused on psychiatric reports which affect how the public perceives the field of Psychiatry which is an integral part of the practice of Medicine. We would like to state the following about psychiatric consults and psychiatric disorders.

Psychiatric consults do not necessarily indicate debilitating psychological conditions

It is expected that people who experience stress, whether on a day to day basis or as a result of more extreme experiences like disasters, domestic violence, accidents, separations, abuse, losses, medical illnesses will have psychological reactions that may range from normal to more serious reactions. Every medical illness carries with it an emotional component that if not treated in some cases may lead to psychiatric disorders that can be debilitating. Therefore, any individual or family may seek psychiatric consult for any of the above conditions including among other things developmental and behavioral problems among children.

Due to a wide variety of stressors in the environment, it is important to make clear to the public that psychiatric treatment can spell the difference between transient and long lasting effects.

Currently depression is considered the 4th in terms of health burden worldwide and predicted to be the second in terms of morbidity in the next few years. Recognizing mental health problems and seeking psychiatric treatment is very important in ensuring that one does not suffer from any kind of mental illness.

Perpetuating the misconceptions about Psychiatry prevent people from seeking consult for psychological sufferings. Early psychiatric consultation may prevent or arrest the development of debilitating emotional states.

We call on everyone not to allow stigma, misconception and negative prejudice to rule over science and reason.

Let us advocate for a country that is cognizant of the importance of mental health in nation building.

Every Filipino has a right to a better mental health!

Concerned Past Presidents of the

Philippine Psychiatric Association, Inc.

 1. Dr. Lourdes Ladrido-Ignacio

 2. Dr. Cornelio G. Banaag Jr.   

 3. Dr. Vicente S. Cabuquit       

 4. Dr. A. Efren B. Reyes          

 5. Dr. Dante H. Abcede           

 6. Dr. Cynthia Ramos-Leynes

 7. Dr. Venus Serra-Arain

 8. Dr. Jocelyn Nieva Yatco-Bautista

 9. Dr. Sonia Castro-Rodriguez

10. Dr. Felicitas A. Soriano

11. Dr. Maria Imelda Batar

12. Dr. Norieta Calma-Balderrama

The group drafted and agreed to send this letter. For verification, please get in touch with undersigned 09178117561. Hospital affiliations UP-PGH, SLMC, TMC, UERMMMC. Phone number Child Protection Unit 5268418 or UERMMMC Clinic 7161848. E-mail of Philippine Psychiatric Association philpsych_org@ yahoo.com