What is Mental Illness?

It is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in the mind and/or behaviour, resulting in an inability to cope with life's ordinary demands and routines. 

There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illnesses. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits and/or social withdrawal.

Types may include: 

•Anxiety Disorders 

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses and the distress they cause can keep you from carrying on with your life normally. For the people who have this, worry and fear are constant, overwhelming, and can be disabling. But with treatments, many people can manage those feelings and can get back to a fulfilling life. 

Statistics: It is reported by the Global Burden of disease study in 2015 that 3.3 million Filipinos suffer from depressive disorders, with suicide rates in 2.5 males and 1.7 females per 100,000 of the Filipino population, according to the National Center for Mental Health.

•Mood Disorders

Is a group of conditions where a disturbance in the person's moods is the main identifying features.

Statistic in depressions and bipolar disorder among Filipinos are rather sketchy. The Department of Health estimated that 4.5 million Filipinos suffered from depression. In 2011, the WHO released a statement, saying the Philippines had the highest incidence of depression in Shoutheast Asia. The most serious consequence of depression is suicide.

•Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event - either experiencing it or witnessing it.  Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmare and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with their everyday living, they are considered to have post-traumatic stress disorder.

Example of traumatic events are the devastation of typhoon Ondoy and Sendong. In statistics, a large number of adults and children affected by these natural disasters were found to be suffering from PTSD. 

Thus, we are writing you this petition to take necessary actions to prevent people from having mental illnesses.