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DOH vows to improve, bring mental health services closer to public

Philippines | National

DOH vows to improve, bring mental health services closer to public

By Analou de Vera

DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said it is ramping up efforts to improve and bring mental health services closer to communities.

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday, Nov. 9, conducted a meeting with other health officials at the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City.

During the meeting, health officials discussed how to "improve delivery of quality mental health services" and tackled "ways to increase access to mental health services and strengthen community-based mental health programs."

“Recognizing these challenges, we have adopted a non-specialized approach to bring mental health services closer to the communities, ensuring that mental health care is available for all life stages in various settings and levels of care,” said Vergeire in a statement.

Vergeire also emphasized the importance of breaking the stigma attached to mental health illnesses.

"Stigma and discrimination continue to hamper us from maximizing our mental health services and programs," she said.

"Further, we need the support of other sectors to eliminate the stigma around mental health and help make Filipinos healthy, both physically and mentally," she added.

Related Tags

mental health services Department of Health (DOH) NATIONAL CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH Maria Rosario Vergeire mental health

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