Understanding Teen Consultations at the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong
Lately you’ve been feeling super stressed and down. School is overwhelming and you’re always feeling anxious. You think talking to someone could help but going with your parents seems way too embarrassing. And that’s why I’ve been wondering, can I go to the National Center for Mental Health alone?
I hear you, and you’re not alone. After doing some research, it seems like the NCMH is actually really affordable and accessible for teens like me. There is a consultation of P400 pesos – way cheaper than a private therapist but you can consult for free if you get an Indigency Certificate from your Barangay. It’s really easy to get, don’t worry. Just go ahead and request for it. NCMH has online sessions too which would be perfect so I don’t have to worry about traffic.
From what my son has said from his consultations, going through the process alone seems totally doable. You just line up, fill out forms, then wait to be seen. No big deal right? Sure your mom would probably want to come but if you just want to be honest with a professional without worrying what your parents might think, this is an option for the first consultation.
Let me tell you though, having support is important too. So if you can and if you have a friend you can confide in, ask your best friend to come for moral support. That way you’re not totally alone but still get private time with the doctor. And if things get too much, you’ll have her to lean on.
In the end, I think seeking help is too important not to try to get help because you’re shy. I’m not advocating that you always go alone, but if this will make you feel safer, then go ahead and do so. Your mental health and happiness matters.
After the consultation, there will be processes that you have to go through, If you need help with medication, your doctor will ask you to bring your parents then -or an adult you trust. But you can decide on that later. For now, go ahead and muster up the courage to go by yourself and I hope talking things out with someone helps you feel like yourself again. I wish you luck!
Ps, if you need a step by step guide on how to process your NCMH consultation, you can read up here:
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Available Mental Health Services for Teenagers at NCMH
The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong, Philippines provides a range of mental health services that cater to the needs of teenagers, including specialized child and adolescent psychiatric care, free consultations and counseling, crisis support, and comprehensive treatment options:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services: The NCMH has a dedicated Child and Adolescent Ward with 19 beds in single-bed and 4-bed rooms. This ward caters specifically to the mental health needs of children and adolescents.
- Free Psychiatric Consultations and Counseling: The NCMH provides free psychiatric consultations and counseling services. These services are open to all ages, including teenagers, and are led by licensed psychiatrists.
- Crisis Hotline and Online Support: The NCMH offers a 24/7 free crisis hotline that provides basic counseling, psychological first aid, and suicide prevention services. They also have free online psychiatric sessions and psychosocial support available through their e-consultation program.
- Comprehensive Mental Health Care: As a mental health facility, the NCMH is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive range of preventive, curative, and rehabilitative mental health care services[6][7]. This suggests that they offer a holistic approach to mental health treatment, which would be beneficial for teenagers seeking help.
- Affordable Services: The NCMH is known for its affordability, making mental health services more accessible to a broader population, including teenagers who may have limited financial resources.
Citations:
[1] https://www.resilientlgus.ph/content/free-mental-health-services-updated-2022-list
[2] https://www.moneymax.ph/personal-finance/articles/cost-of-therapy-philippines
[3] http://www.silakbo.ph/help/
[4] https://www.ncmh.go.kr/eng/html/content.do?depth=cs&menu_cd=01_03_00_01
[5] https://mariahealth.ph/facilities/national-center-for-mental-health/
[6] https://www.opencounseling.com/kalakhang-maynila/mandaluyong/counseling-agency/national-center-for-mental-health
[7] https://ncmh.gov.ph
[8] https://ncmh.gov.ph/images/pdf/iso/arta-2019-psych-02-admtopsychward.pdf
