City halfway house caters to homeless, campaigns vs mental health stigmas

Since launching in April 2021, the Mental Wellness Center for the Homeless of the City Health Office has already sheltered over 120 homeless patients.

Dr. Luis Antonio Flores, manager of the CHO’s Mental Wellness Center for the Homeless, said most of the patients have been sent home after treatment and are now visiting the center for updates and routine check-up.

A total of 26 patients without a home or any identified family members remains in the center.

Flores said that although the facility is well-equipped to provide proper care and accommodations to mentally-disturbed patients, re-integrating the patients back into their communities has been difficult as many of them are not originally from Davao City but from neighboring regions.

“Around 40 percent of the patients na among ma-rescue kay dili taga-Davao. Maglisod pud mi kay ang uban man pud na mga lungsod kay wala’y mga scene sa mental wellness or mga half-way home (Around 40% of patients we rescue are not from Davao. We are also met with difficulties because other cities have no mental wellness facilities or a halfway home),” said Flores.

Flores added that the center is also fighting against prevailing stigmas surrounding mental illness. He said mental wellness should be regarded as just another facet of general healthcare in a fast-paced world. Stress and social pressures– unavoidable realities for most –cause mental distress that can lead to illness that require professional help.

Flores said that aside from housing mentally-disturbed vagrants, the wellness center also offer outpatient community-based services to anyone under mental distress.

Those who suffer from mental illness induced by substance abuse and addiction may also ask for help from the Mental Wellness Center, free of charge.

“Sa mga Dabawenyos, ayaw gyud mo’g kaulaw kung aduna mo’y ginabati. Always ask for help gyud. Asking for help—mao na gyud na ang pinakasinugdanan na matabangan nato atong mga sarili (To all Dabawenyos, do not be embarrassed if something ails you. Always ask for help— that is the first step to helping yourself),” Flores said.

“Kung naa mo’y kaila na nanginahanganlan pud og tabang, i-share. Always extend a helping hand (If you know someone who is in need of help, share the information. Always extend a helping hand),” he added.

The Mental Wellness Center for the Homeless is located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center-Institute of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicines (SPMC-IPBM) Compound on Claveria Street, Poblacion District. CIO