Heartaches to headaches : Health group cautions heartbreak can disrupt mental health

Whether it’s due to grief, regret, loss, or a break-up, a painful heartbreak can develop into a mental health condition if kept unmanaged, warned the Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), a network of organizations advocating the prevention and control of NCDs and mental health awareness.

The HPA explained the state of a broken heart leaves a person with almost unbearable emotional pain. Persons with difficulty handling this distress are more prone to developing depression and anxiety disorders.

“Emotional distress can be overwhelming especially to youth and young adults. When left disregarded and with unavailable support, symptoms of mental health conditions may develop. Worst case scenarios are inflicting self-harm or committing suicide, which we wish to prevent through better self and community care and improved service delivery,” said Alyannah Lagasca, National Chairperson of Youth for Mental Health Coalition (Y4MH).

Lagasca cited preliminary findings from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) by the UP Population Institute which showed young FIlipinos aged 15-24 who felt depressive symptoms doubled from 2013 to 2021, while youth who attempted to commit suicide climbed from 3% to 7%.

While coping may vary from person to person, prioritizing self-care or self-love methods or activities can help soothe the broken heart.

“Stay connected with family and people you feel loved, cared for, and supported, spend some time in peace and calmness, touch on your faith, write in your journal, travel, engage in any activity of interest, and find time to get to know you. This way you can at least ease the mind and the heartache,” advised Lagasca.

Sadly, the 2021 YAFS also reported, 62% of youth who felt depressed did not reach out to anyone at all, and only a measly 2% sought help from a professional even when interventions are at an arm’s reach.

“Amid the stigma, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. There are various helplines available that are a dial away where you can speak with trained mental health professionals. Also, talk to a loved one, a friend, or anyone you trust, for guidance. You need all the support you can get,” urged Dr. Via Roderos, Executive Director of the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes (AIHO).

Based on the 2021 statistics of the National Center for Mental Health, they have received close to 7,500 calls on their crisis hotline from individuals aged 18 to 30. Love or a relationship problem was the 3rd most common reason.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization, reported in 2019, 301 million worldwide suffered from anxiety disorder, where 58 million are children and adolescents. While, 280 million people lived with depression, including 23 million children and adolescents.

Patricia Loren M. Reyes
Communications Officer
Healthy Philippines Alliance