Editor's note: This article focuses on mental health problems and contains details about those who have experienced such medical conditions. The Department of Health’s crisis hotline can be reached at 1553 (landline); 0966-351-4518 and 0917-899-USAP (8727) (Globe/TM); and 0908-639-2672 (Smart/Sun/TNT).

Before the pandemic, Miguel*, a second-year political science student, was always eager to attend his classes. For him, it was his coping mechanism for his problems at home. But since the pandemic necessitated remote learning, he no longer had enough social interaction.

There were days, he said, that the longing and solitude would reach the point that they severely affected not only his mental health but also his physical well-being.

“Usually, I fall down to the floor kasi hindi ko talaga magalaw paa at kamay ko. Minsan kailangan ko rin umiyak pero hindi ko pwedeng lakasan kasi maririnig ng pamilya ko. Hindi na rin ako nakaka-attend ng classes dahil sa stress tungkol sa acads,” Miguel said.

These occurrences have urged him to seek professional help by opting to avail of the free mental health services provided by PsycServ, a special project under the UP Diliman (UPD) Office of the Chancellor that offers free psychosocial services for the university. 

He signed up for consultations in June 2021 but was only able to start the therapy sessions two months later. Owing to a limited number of consultants, PyscServ told its clients that the time from signup to the first therapy session could take weeks, if not months.

“Paano kung pressing ang issue o may emergency? At least more than one person I know ay nadi-discourage to seek help dahil dito. Noong na-receive ko ang email kung ready na nga for the consultation, nakalimutan ko na nag-sign up nga pala ako,” Miguel lamented. 

It has been two years since the shift to remote learning, but still, students have had difficulty coping with the new setup. As such, many have experienced mental health problems, triggered by their academic requirements and the pandemic.

Diagnosis

PsycServ, by default, only offers eight therapy sessions. Miguel explained that his was extended by a few more. However, the sessions ended even before he could feel better, and so was advised to sign up again. He does feel the need to continue, he said, but it would again take months to get a slot.

His experience is not an isolated case. Belle*, a student from the same program, recalled that on her first sign-up, she also waited for two months to get a slot. After their session lapsed, she tried applying in May.

PsycServ admits that it takes a long time for clients to start their consultation, as indicated in their sign-up form which shows that waiting time could last from two to four weeks, depending on demand. Should there be an emergency, PsycServ advises the students to seek help through the National Center for Mental Health or the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation hotline instead.

“Na-disincentivize ako noong una [dahil sa waiting time], pero noong second time, kailangan ko na talaga mag-sign up so nag-antay ako,” Belle said. A psychiatrist outside UP diagnosed her with major depressive disorder and her symptoms include isolating herself from others and having rapid changes in her appetite. 

In 2020, PsycServ shifted to a telepsychotherapy approach to cater to UPD constituents during the pandemic. In that setup, clients are given the option to hold their therapy sessions via video call, phone call, and the like. However, the remote therapy sessions have proven to be futile for some students, like Miguel. 

“At that point in time, may epekto naman, pero after the session, ganoon pa rin siya ka-intense. It made me want to seek more help pero siguro outside the institution na kasi matagal talaga ang waiting time,” Miguel said.

The Mental Health Act mandates universities to uphold the rights of their students by providing psychosocial mental health services. And while PsycServ is just one of UPD’s units that cater to the UP community’s mental health (the others being the Office of Counseling and Guidance, Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, and the University Health Service), it has yet to fully attain that role.

“Iskolar ng bayan pero hindi inaalagaan? It’s part of student welfare. Lahat kailangan ng therapy and mental health services kahit walang [diagnosed] condition talaga,” Miguel added.

Prognosis

PsycServ clinic manager Claudine Tecson said that since they shifted to telepsychosocial therapy, they have been receiving sign-ups around the clock. There was even a time when they had to hold off accepting new clients.

“Before the pandemic, the slots were limited because of the 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. office hours,” Tecson said. Now, owing to demand, PsycServ opens its sign-up sheet every Monday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

But telepsychotherapy has pitfalls. “Usually habang magkausap kami madi-disconnect on both ends. Although okay naman ulitin, nawawalan na [kami] ng momentum,” Miguel said, recalling how connectivity problems often hampered his therapy sessions.

Tecson said PsycServ therapists use their mobile data or internet connection for the telepsychosocial sessions as it is not funded by the university. “We tried to propose a budget for it, but the reimbursement takes so much time. More than a year na pero hindi pa rin nare-reimburse,” Tecson said.

The lack of private space also became a hindrance for those who still live with their families. “Napaka-thin ng walls ng room ko and katabi ko yung living room. Minsan, ang topic namin sa session ay about sa pamilya so I need to lower my voice,” Miguel noted. 

Tecson understands that some of their clients do not have private space at home. Hence, they had to adjust and hold sessions through messaging. But, she said, it does not maximize the benefits that clients can get from the therapy sessions.

“Masyado kaming maraming ginawa kasi mabilis yung paggawa ng guidelines and procedures with doing telepsychotherapy work,” she said of PsycServ’s shift to a remote setup. “It was really hard for us.”

A usual session lasts for an hour. Both Miguel and Belle feel that the duration is insufficient for them to fully open up about their thoughts and emotions. In the case of Miguel, after his therapy sessions ended, his anxiety and despair were just as severe prior to signing up.

“Although I signed up for it knowing na may limit, di naman ako nabigla na natapos na. Pero noong nawala siya, bumabalik pa rin sa akin yung mga nangyayaring bagay. I realized na hindi ko na masasabi kasi tapos na yung session,” Miguel said.

Prescription

So long as PsycServ remains as a mere “special project” under the chancellor’s office, it will continue to experience setbacks. For UPD constituents, its institutionalization is a way to guarantee that the university puts its constituents’ mental health with great importance.

For one, its therapists are non-UP contractual workers whose contracts are reviewed and renewed annually. Some came from other universities and some worked part-time. They are on a “no-work, no-pay” basis and do not receive benefits, like paid leaves, unlike permanent UP employees do.

“We want PsycServ to be a permanent program in UP. For us, it’s security and stability for our work. It is a tedious process to renew every year if you’re a non-UP contractual. Sometimes, the pay even gets delayed,” Tecson said.

The lack of institutionalization does not only hamper their operation but also PsycServ’s ability to hire more therapists. Tecson shared that some applicants for therapists withdraw their application upon knowing the difficulties of being a non-UP contractual.

While PsycServ has been regularly submitting proposals to institutionalize their office, it has yet to be approved. This, despite Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo’s pledge to institutionalize PsycServ during the 2020 chancellor selection. Without the security of institutionalization, PsycServ can also be easily abolished by a future UPD chancellor.

“Institutionalizing PsycServ would mean mas mabibigyan ng importance ang trabaho ng therapists. One way of improving the services is compensating them better and that’s through institutionalization,” Belle said.

A 2022 study by the World Health Organization showed that the prevalence of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression increased by 25 percent since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic—further justifying the need for improving psychosocial services. 

But for the meantime, Miguel expressed the need for the return of in-person mental health services. “Ang daming nalulugmok dahil sa pandemic. If pwede na, it’s time for face-to-face services to be held pero kasama dito ang pag-address ng pangmalawakang ligtas na balik eskwela,” he said.

And even if in-person sessions resume, Tecson said that telepsychotherapy services will continue for those who cannot come to campus.

Belle emphasizes the need to prioritize mental health and improve the services. “I think, especially sa pag-reopen ng schools, kailangan na ng face-to-face sessions. Mental health is a huge aspect of our lives. We cannot just disregard it. Iba pa rin ‘pag na-institutionalize [ang PsycServ] as it would improve the mental health services kasi you are giving them more budget,” she said. ●

*Not their real names.

About the illustrator: Miggie Bacungan is a visual communication student at the UP Diliman College of Fine Arts. They are a freelance illustrator that tackles facets of identity.

This article has been updated to clarify the PsycServ clinic manager’s statement on the hiring of psychosocial therapists and their shift to telemedicine.