THE COVID-9 pandemic appears to have taken a toll on the mental health of not a few people. Death due to intentional self-harm increased by a quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority said. A total of 3,529 Filipinos died due to suicide from January to December 2020, higher than the 2,808 cases reported in 2019.
In Western Visayas alone in the first two months of 2021, the Police Regional Office 6 recorded 57 suicide cases.
Suicides, depression, missing persons, and inadequate outpatient/home care of people in mental distress are what the new Philippine Mental Health Law seeks to address. Republic Act (RA) 11036 completes the whole set of healthcare Filipinos need and deserve to be happy, productive and successful. But is this law being utilized in this time of pandemic to help the vulnerable?
RA 11036 has an even larger, more challenging goal: eradicating the shame and stigma of having mental illness. When a family member goes missing, the family must be frank about the mental health state of the missing person.
Families and barangays nationwide should be made aware of all the warning signs of mental distress and be trained to give the appropriate response. Colleges and universities should supply the needed college graduates and professionals who will provide the expert yet personal touch of a psychiatrist and psychologist.
Hospitals must beef up their rosters of mental health care specialists. Generic medicines for mental health illnesses and conditions must be available in all hospitals and pharmacies. School and workplace clinics need psychologists and psychiatrists.
The Department of Health and Department of Budget and Management must include enough funds to kick start the provision of mental health care. Expanded and better PhilHealth coverage for mental health and generic medicines must be in the set of RA 11036 programs.
With this law, it is our hope that Filipinos will be more open and immediately seek professional help when they are in mental distress. In fact, mental healthcare should be delivered as an integral part of our primary healthcare system amid the growing number of mental illnesses that are left untreated due to lack of mental facilities and of physicians who are sufficiently trained to handle and treat mental conditions.
This landmark legislation must not go to waste.
