A PROGRAM to provide free mental health consultations for indigents in the city of Baguio is soon to be launched.
Starting March 1, 100 qualified indigents will be able to avail themselves of free psychiatric consultation and psychological assessments.
The program, launched by the Anxiety and Depression Support Group Baguio City in partnership with the Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO), will provide free consultations and potentially, also medications, to indigents after being assessed to qualify as clients..
The consultations are on a registration basis through the program’s helpline number (09386260724), where potential clients will be directed to provide a barangay certificate of indigency as well as a letter of referral from a barangay health center doctor, for their initial assessment and scheduling of consultation.
The program will be housed in Room 4 of the 4th floor of the Baguio CHSO in Barangay T. Alonzo, where scheduled and assessed clients can proceed to avail of their free consultation.
The program will also provide appropriate medication to clients free of charge as long as supplies are available.
The entire initiative is a voluntary program, with consultations provided by four volunteer medical psychiatry professionals.
Funding for the program came from an online fundraiser by a United Kingdom-based health worker, Marlene Baoidang, and was organized by Philippine Nurses Association – Baguio President Ruth Tingda.
