Dr. Roland Cortez, Chief of National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), in an online conference, presented the status of the center and some thought programs to be implemented to help fight mental problems caused by the COVID-19 and the Extended Enhanced Community Quarantine. He assures the members of the media that they are ready to handle the difficulties and the mandate of their work at the same time.

During the presentation, Dr. Cortez updated the members of the media with the status of NCMH. According to him, the center has been affected by the virus, but they were able to contain the situation. Sixteen (16) of its in-patients were affected by the disease out of the 3,200 patients that they have. So far, only one (1) had recovered from the virus. The center made sure that the affected patients are brought and taken care of at the converted isolation room.

According to Dr. Cortez, they are planning to have more programs aside from their existing ones to help both the individuals and the frontliners. One of their programs is the Helpline about COVID-19, which you can call at 0917-899-USAP (8727) or the 989-USAP (8727). It is the center's communications numbers for individuals seeking help.

With the extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, they are planning to have additional doctors for individuals who seek consultation to address their uneasiness and worry.

For the frontliners, the center plans to add additional programs aside from the existing ones that they have, like the plan to limit the frontliners time in the hospitals to avoid too much exposure and the possibility of contracting the disease, plan to provide sleeping quarters or room for those who don't want to go home yet to protect their family, overtime pay, monetary considerations, and other benefits if ever they got sick during their duty as frontliners.

These are some of the plans that are expected to help a lot of Filipino individuals and frontliners. If you require assistance, you can contact them at their helpline for consultation the USAP TAYO line 0917-899-USAP (8727) or the 989-USAP (8727).

With so much news about depression and mental health issue, it is never too late to understand people undergoing such problem. In this series from iWant perhaps and maybe we can have that simple understanding of why people tend to go that path.

It always starts with something. Feeling desperately alone and unloved adds to that factor. It feeds that creeping depression inside. So, what is it like to feel desperately alone and unloved? What happens when it becomes too much to bear?

See life through the eyes of a troubled teenager craving love and attention as Zaijian Jaranilla topbills his first digital series in “Story of My Life,” now streaming on iWant. The new iWant original drama series revolves around sensitive loner Rex (Zaijian), who is neglected by his mother and lives under the shadow of his brother.

His life only seems to be a parade of depressing experiences that peaks with a humiliating incident, which cements his outcast status at school. Despite this, he finds a ray of hope in his budding romance with his crush—until she leaves him thoroughly heartbroken.

Tired of his depressing life and being ignored by everyone including his family, Rex makes a drastic decision and disappears from their lives.

Rex’s parents make a frantic search for the missing boy, but their hopes are crushed when they finally find a body. They mourn his death and slowly realize that they somehow contributed to the misery in Rex’s life.

However, little clues show the continued presence of Rex in the lives of his loved ones, who accidentally stumble upon a discovery that will shake Rex’s family to the core.

“Story of My Life” is directed by Barry Gonzalez III, written by Maribel Ilag, and produced by Big Reveal Digital. The cast also include Tart Carlos, Iyah Mina, Raul Montessa, Vance Larena, Belle Mariano, and Alyanna Angeles.


The series aims to shed light on what teens are going through and share understanding, compassion, and empathy to the feelings of others.

Stream “Story of My Life,” on the iWant app (iOs and Android) or iwant.ph for free.