Trigger warning: This is the story behind Twitter trending topic #SuicideIsNotAJokeJobert.
DZMM radio host Jobert Sucaldito has issued a statement over the inappropriate and insensitive comments made about Nadine Lustre during the January 6 airing of his radio show, Showbuzz.
According to a report from ABS-CBN News, Jobert issued a statement on January 8 as he said, “I would like to apologize to Ms. Nadine Lustre and to those who got bothered by that sa aspetong ito. I am also apologizing to my radio network DZMM for putting them in discomfort because of this.”
Earlier on January 8, ABS-CBN News Chief Ging Reyes said that the media outlet will investigate Jobert’s “insensitive and inappropriate” comments about Nadine.
Part of the statement reads: “We are investigating reports that DZMM host Jobert Sucaldito uttered inappropriate and insensitive comments regarding actress Nadine Lustre’s state of mental health. Our journalists and other members of our team are accountable for their on-air statements.”
ABS-CBN News’ statements come in the heels of Jobert’s comments regarding Nadine’s recent Instagram posts that supposedly confirm the actress’ breakup with boyfriend James Reid.
Jobert said in what seems to be a recording of his radio show, “May mga labas ng puwet, naka t-back pa doon sa building. May mga nakalagay pang caption na parang gustong tumalon. Sana tumalon na lang kung ganoon din lang naman pala.”
Jobert’s on-air comments drew a lot of flak from the online community as #SuicideIsNotaJokeJobert became a trending topic on Twitter. Netizens defended Nadine, who has opened up in the past about her mental health struggles.
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What hotlines can I call for help for myself or a loved one?
Here are some of the hotlines you can call if you or someone you know needs help. Please share the numbers with your loved ones as well.
- The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline, a 24/7 confidential services hotline for psychiatric emergencies, suicidal thoughts, depression, and other issues
- (02) 989-8727
- (0917) 899-8727 (or 0917 899-USAP)
- Tawag Paglaum—Centro Bisaya, a 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline run out of Cebu City
- Crisis Line by In Touch Community Services
- Landline: (02) 893-7603
- Mobile: (0917) 863-1136
- Mobile: (0908) 141-9567
- Hopeline
- Landline: (02) 804-4673
- Mobile: (0917) 558-4673
Where can I go for psychological/mental health services or support groups?
Some places you can go for psychiatric or psychological services include:
- National Center for Mental Health (NCMH)
Offers psychiatric services and more
Address: Nueve de Pebrero Street, Barangay Mauway, Mandaluyong City
Phone: (02) 531-9001; for mental health concerns and services, call (0949) 143-6425 / (0915) 792-6889 / (0922) 241-3855 / (02) 531-9001 loc. 283.
Email: mcc@ncmh.gov.ph
- Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA)
Provides psychiatric, psychological, and family care services
Address: No. 18 East Avenue, Quezon City (HQ—chapter offices located in major cities nationwide)
Phone: (02) 921-4958 / (02) 921-4959
- In Touch Community Services (Crisis Line)
Offers counseling services for adults, children and families, plus training for their Crisis Line volunteers
Address: 2/F Holy Trinity Church Offices, 48 McKinley Road, Makati City, Metro Manila
Phone: (02) 893-1893 / (0917) 863-1136
Email: intouch@in-touch.org
Counseling Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays / 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays - UST Graduate School Psychotrauma Clinic
Free psychological services, including assessment, evaluation, counseling, and psychotherapy
Address: Room 104, G/F Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, University of Santo Tomas, España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila
Email: ustgsptc@yahoo.com - Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Department, Philippine General Hospital
Offers free psychological consultation
Address: Ward 7, 2/F Philippine General Hospital, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila
Phone: (02) 554-8400 local 2436 and 2440 / (02) 554-8469 - Ateneo Center for Family Ministries Foundation (CEFAM)
Offers free consultation, family and individual psycho-spiritual counseling
Address: Spiritual-Pastoral Center, Ateneo de Manila University Campus, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
Phone: (02) 426-4289 to 92
- Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
Offers basic consulting and teaches some psychotherapeutic techniques
Address: Sumolong Highway, Sto. Niño, Marikina City
Phone: (02) 941-6289
Consulting hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays (registration hours: 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.)
- Center for Behavioral Sciences—Vicente Sotto Memorial Center
Provides consultation and treatment for different psychiatric and mood problems, sleep problems, anxiety, and substance-abuse related problems
Address: Vicente Sotto Memorial Center, B. Rodriguez Extension, Cebu City
Clinic Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Psychiatric Department, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC)
Offers patient counseling and crisis intervention
Address: Magsaysay Boulevard corner Enage Street, Tacloban City, Leyte
Helpline: (0995) 521-5282
- PsychConsult, Inc.
Offers psychotherapy services and psychological evaluation, plus workshops and training
Address: Unit 227 Regalia Park Towers, 150 P Tuazon Blvd, Cubao, Quezon City
Phone: (02) 421-2469 / (02) 357 64-27 / (0917) 808-0193
Email: psychconsult@gmail.com - ph
Online platform for mental health consultation and treatment run by a team of licensed mental health professionals - Mood and Anxiety Resource and Referral Center (MARRC)—Makati Medical Center
Evaluates clients with mood and anxiety concerns and recommends treatment options for them
Address: 3rd Floor Tower 1, Makati Medical Center, No. 2 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City
Phone: (02) 888-8999 local 7320
Service Hours (by appointment): 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays
*Mood Harmony by Makati Medical Center Support Group for Mood Disorders
Landline: (02) 844-2941 - UGAT Foundation (Ugnayan at Tulong Para sa Maralitang Pamilya, Inc.)
Offers individual, marriage, and family counseling by appointment, formation training, and counseling training
Address: 2/F ISO Annex, Social Development Complex, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Phone: (02) 426-6001 loc. 4872-73
Email: ugat@admu.edu.ph
A few Philippine-based mental health support groups include:
- Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines
- Mental Health Hour
- Cebu (meeting every Saturday at 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Books & Brews Café)
- Manila (meeting every Saturday 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Grow Ubelt Student Center)
- Cagayan de Oro (meeting every Saturday 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Kagay-an Coffee Cartel)
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Philippines
- Mental Health Matters by Kylie Verzosa
- Mental Health PH
- Social Anxiety Support Philippines
- Coalescent Foundation
For a more complete list of mental health service providers, check out the list crowd-sourced by #MentalHealthPH. The directory is also available as an Android app.
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