**TRIGGER WARNING: THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENT**
Paulo Avelino recently opened up about his struggles with mental health. In August 2019, the actor got candid on Twitter as he shared his experience and wrote, “'I survived. No one really knew aside from my closest friends.”
This time around, Paulo talked about reaching out and never losing hope. On Instagram, he began his post by saying: “Rarely do I share personal stuff on my social media accounts, but I think it’s time I talked about this dark period in my life because I know that someone out there is going through the same thing. I want you to know that everybody has issues and sometimes, you [see] other people have them will help you cope with your own.”
Paulo talked about his depression and how he dealt with it as an introvert. He said, “As an introverted person, I was so used to keeping my thoughts to myself. Even when I wanted to share stuff, I truly didn’t know how to. I didn’t know how to voice out all these feelings and thoughts inside me.”
He continued, “So here I am sharing with you guys that even the people who appear to be okay or who seem to ‘have it all’ might be going through their own struggles, fighting their own demons.”
Paulo gave encouraging words to reaching out to others: “Please don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends, family, and loved ones. Oftentimes, people will brush it off thinking it’s nothing to be concerned about or it’s a small matter. Don’t be scared to voice out what you feel no matter how hard it is. Never lose HOPE.”
The actor ended his post by writing, “If you aren’t ready to open up to the people closest to you, you can also reach out and call Hopeline.”
Paulo’s post was followed by the contact number of Hopeline:
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If someone you know and care about is suicidal or depressed, check out this resource on how you can help save a life.
For warning signs of suicidal behavior, click here.
Hotlines to remember:
- 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
- (0939) 937-5433
- (0939) 936-5433
- (0927) 654-1629
- 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
- 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 - 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
Psychological or mental health services:
Mental health support groups:
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