Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday, October 21 urged the government to strengthen the country’s mental health programs as he expressed alarm on the number of Filipinos attempting suicide now increasing.
Go is referring to a recent study by the University of the Philippines (UP) Population Institute that found that 7.5 percent of Filipino youth had attempted suicide in 2021.
The UP study also revealed how between 2013 and 2021, “suicide ideation” among Filipino youth more than doubled.
Suicide ideation is a term used by the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe “thoughts, wishes, preoccupations and contemplations with death and suicide.”
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said the government has sufficient funds to fully roll out its mental health programs especially during these times.
“Sinigurado rin natin noong nakaraang taon na magkaroon ng sapat na pondo ang DOH, DSWD at iba pang ahensya para sa mga programang ipinapatupad na konektado sa Mental Health (We made sure last year that the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and othe ragencies have sufficient funds to implement all programs related to mental health),” Go said in a statement.
“Ako naman po bilang Committee Chair on Health sa Senado, hinihikayat ko po na magkaroon ng sapat na pondo para sa ating mga mental health programs. Nakatutok rin po ako dito, handa po akong tumulong sa ating mga kababayan na mabigyan po ng importansya, sapat na pondo itong mga mental health programs (as committee chair on health in the Senate, I call for more funds for our mental health programs. I am also focused on this, and I am ready to help our people in giving importance and providing for more funds for these mental health programs),” he further said.
Go noted that the number of Filipinos experiencing mental health problems increased during the Covid-19 pandemic as many experienced depression while on quarantine.
Thus, it is also imperative to increase psychological assistance and mental health support for Filipinos especially to the youth and those in grassroots communities, the senator stressed.
“Kaya po, mayroon na pong napirmahan si (dating) pangulong Duterte, ‘yung (That’s why former President Duterte signed) RA 11036 (o ‘yung) Mental Health Act,” shared Go.
The law primarily establishes a national mental health policy directed towards improving the health of the population.
The Act also underscores the basic right of all Filipinos to mental health care while shaping the structural and attitudinal challenges to achieving positive mental health.
Specifically, Go said the law aims to provide mental health services at the barangay level, and integrate mental health and wellness programs at the grassroots level so that interventions will be felt by the communities. It also seeks to improve mental health facilities and promote mental health education in schools and workplaces.
“I urge PhilHealth to develop as soon as possible a more comprehensive mental health package that will also include consultation and other outpatient services. For as long as it is viable on the part of PhilHealth, coverage should include a much wider range of mental and behavioral conditions,” Go had appealed during the budget deliberations on the DOH’s proposed budget for 2023.
“I also appeal to the DOH to make its existing Medicine Access Program for Mental Health more accessible to as many Filipinos in need of mental health medicines,” he said.
“Although the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City continues to cater to mental health patients, we have to make this type of government service available to more people nationwide, especially in rural and far-flung areas,” the senator added.