MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday said mental and psychosocial health services are being offered in evacuation centers following the onslaught of the typhoon-enhanced habagat and tropical cyclone Carina in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. 

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Some 245,000 families or 1.1 million people were affected by habagat, Carina, and tropical cyclone Butchoy, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday morning. 

According to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, mental and psychosocial health services, including prescription medicines, are among those offered by their representatives in evacuation centers. 

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"Namatayan iyong iba diyan sa evacuation center, nawalan ng bahay... Maraming na-damage. They need acute psychosocial first aid. Madami kaming mga tinrain na dito na mga personnel in psychological first aid. And then meron din kaming mga gamot for those that will need anti-depressants... At least, ma-identify nila iyong taong balisa at nangangailangan ng mental health support," Herbosa said in a press conference.

Among those who have experienced mental distress due to the flooding was 19-year old "Hope." 

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While she has experienced evacuation countless of times, being a resident in a flood-prone area at Barangay Batis in San Juan City, this recent one unlocked a new trauma in her and in her five-year-old niece.

"Na-trauma po iyong bata (niece) kasi nakita niya po iyong isang bata, nalunod mismo sa harapan namin. Pagka-punta namin dito, bukambibig na niya iyong batang nalunod. Hindi na po siya makatulog," Hope told ABS-CBN News.

"Naiiyak po siya minsan. Siyempre naiiyak din po ako kasi murang edad, iyon agad iyong nakita niya... Baka raw po matulad siya sa nalunod na bata... Ayaw na po niya bumitaw sa akin. Ayaw na po niya makita iyong mga tubig," she added. 

Hope shared she is trying to get her niece to socialize again, as she also struggles to deal with her own trauma.

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"Nakikipag-usap na lang po ako sa kaibigan ko kasi ang hirap po kasi pag kinikimkim iyong ganoong sitwasyon," she said. 

"Kailangan po talaga na mapansin iyon kasi nakaka-trauma po iyon... lalo sa mga bata... May bad effect po kasi iyon sa kanila, na baka madala nila hanggang sa pagtanda," she added.

Local health authorities of San Juan are stationed in evacuation centers, along with mental health coordinators, to tend to evacuees like Hope who were not only physically spent, but also mentally drained by the effects of the typhoon.

Pediatrician Dr. Cynthia Cuayo-Juico, a fellow of the Philippine Pediatric Society, said anxiety is common among evacuees.

Cuayo-Juico explained this can be felt by adults, and even more by children.

She said it will also help if parents or guardians will bring their children's favorite toy or belonging--if time and situations permit--at the evacuation center.

"You make use of the situation para maging positive ang attitude ng bata...You make the situation work for you," she added.

 The health expert said adults should also have their own outlet, so that they can be more present for others.

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