Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region Regional Director Fire Chief Superintendent Nahum B. Tarroza cites the objectives of the “Kalingang Bumbero” mental health crisis hotline during a Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas (KBP). (Photo by: Juan Carlo Ruff/PIA CPSD)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) launched a mental health crisis hotline to expand the network of support for individuals dealing with emotional challenges and help save lives.
The mental health crisis hotline, called the “Kalingang Bumbero,” which can be reached at 0962-458-4237, serves as the extension of BFP’s commitment to public safety in light of the rising mental health crisis in the country.
“Mental health is an urgent issue in our country. To solve a problem, we must know the dynamics of the problem,” said Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Abalos emphasized the need to establish a reliable support system for people in order to provide coping mechanisms and other interventions towards preventing tendencies that could lead to self-harm.
The Kalingang Bumbero was created in collaboration between the BFP-National Capital Region and National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).
It is a 24/7 hotline operated by BFP personnel who are trained mental health professionals. To date, a total of 114 call operators are being deployed to deliver the services of the mental health crisis hotline.
BFP-NCR Regional Director Nahum B. Tarroza also noted that the Kalingang Bumbero works with a sense of urgency to the crisis situation of callers.
“Kami po ay may responder. Habang kinakausap ka namin, naia-activate na namin ang personnel namin na puntahan ka,” Tarroza explained in a Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas (KBP) media forum.
(We have responders. While we are taking the call, we are also activating our personnel to locate the caller.)
It can be recalled that in 2023, the BFP Special Rescue Force-NCR was able to rescue 31 victims from suicide attempt.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported in the same period that approximately 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental illness.
With the Kalingang Bumbero, the BFP-NCR hopes to further lessen the cases by extending help to vulnerable individuals. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
