Calls to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) crisis hotline have quadrupled from pre-pandemic levels, with a growing share of callers reporting thoughts of self-harm and more young people seeking support.
NCMH Medical Center Chief Dr. Noel Reyes said the 24/7 crisis hotline is now receiving about four times as many calls as it did before the Covid-19 pandemic. He also said the proportion of callers whose concerns are suicide-related has increased sharply.
Before the pandemic, around 10 percent of hotline calls were suicide-related. That figure has now risen to 35 percent, according to Reyes.
The NCMH has also observed that callers are becoming younger, highlighting concerns about the mental health pressures facing children and adolescents.
Reyes said young people are exposed to different pressures while their ability to cope and protect themselves may still be developing. The trend has prompted calls for stronger mental health awareness, early intervention and accessible support systems in schools and communities.
The issue has also gained attention following violent incidents in schools. The NCMH said students who experience or witness violence may develop fear, sleep difficulties, problems concentrating or reluctance to return to school. Persistent changes in behavior or daily functioning may require professional assessment.
The NCMH is encouraging schools, families and communities to strengthen mental health support before situations reach a crisis point. It has offered to provide mental health awareness activities and training for individuals interested in becoming mental health service providers or advocates.
Separate data from the Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development showed that 10,699 people in the region had been diagnosed with mental, neurological and substance-use conditions. These included 2,573 people with substance-use disorders, 2,404 with depression and 2,037 with psychosis.
The NCMH crisis hotline operates 24 hours a day and can be reached nationwide through 1553 or 1800-1888-1553. Smart/TNT users can call 0919-057-1553, while Globe/TM users can reach 0917-899-8727 or 0966-351-4518.
For an immediate emergency involving an ongoing suicide or self-harm attempt, authorities advise calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency department.
