MANILA — As Filipinos light candles and gather at cemeteries this Undas, the Department of Health is gently reminding everyone that feeling the weight of loss is perfectly normal—but so is taking a moment to look after your own heart and mind.
In a heartfelt advisory timed for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, DOH spokesperson Dr. Beverly Ho acknowledged the flood of emotions that comes with remembrance. “Tears, stories, even a heavy silence—they’re all part of healing,” she said. “But prolonged sadness can sneak up on you.”
The agency is urging simple self-care steps: stay hydrated amid the crowds, eat balanced meals instead of just snacking on cemetery fare, get enough rest, and reach out to friends or a counselor if the grief feels overwhelming.
Hotlines like the DOH Mental Health Line (1555) are on standby 24/7. “Grief shared is grief halved,” Ho added with a warm smile. “Let’s honor the departed by staying strong for the living.”