AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes (Facebook)

Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) ought to be equipped with mental health training, AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes said in a statement Sunday, June 4.

According to Reyes, this would ensure that the cops have the skills and knowledge needed to effectively deal with individuals in crisis.

"This will not only improve the safety of our communities but also prevent unnecessary harm to individuals who may be experiencing mental health issues," the rookie congressman noted.

"Being able to assess the situation effectively can help our uniformed personnel make informed decisions whatever situation they may be in, at any given time," he added.

Reyes said mental health training will also help PNP personnel cope with the mental and emotional toll of their own jobs.

"Alam naman natin ho na hindi biro ang trabaho ng ating mga pulis. Araw-araw, hindi nawawala ang banta sa inyong buhay at panganib. Kailangan rin po ay ingatan natin lagi ang mental well-being ng ating mga tagaligtas (We know that the job of a police is no joke. Everyday, your life is endangered and receive threats. We also need to take care of the mental health of our law enforcers)," he explained.

The Anakalusugan solon reckoned that for the PNP, "being in the peak of our health, both physically and mentally, helps us in providing help and care to the citizens more efficiently".

Reyes said AnaKalusugan Party-list continues to review and improve existing mental health laws to ensure that they are aligned with international standards and best practices.

"We must also ensure that our laws protect the rights of individuals with mental health conditions and promote their inclusion in society," he said.