Government agencies urged to prioritize mental health concerns

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go has appealed to government agencies to bolster efforts to extend psychosocial assistance to individuals struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and other more serious psychological issues.

Go, who chairs the Senate committee on health and demography, said the Departments of Health (DOH) and of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) should prioritize the mental health of the people, considering their experience in the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“In this time of the pandemic, we should also ensure that mental health is valued, promoted and protected. Aside from physical health, mental health is very important,” Go said recently.

The senator noted that the ongoing pandemic and subsequent disease-containment responses have created conditions that are taking a toll on the mental health of many adults and children.

He said public measures, such as social distancing and self-isolation, can cause loneliness and fear among people, which in turn increase anxiety and stress. People receiving mental health services before the pandemic may have been cut off in areas under community quarantine.

“Many people experience depression with our present situation, especially our overseas Filipino workers, who were forced to leave their families just to provide for them. You cannot put a price tag on the experience of being away from your family,” Go said.

Social Welfare Secretary Roland Bautista revealed that concerned agencies, led by the DSWD and DOH, are actively working to address the rising number of Filipinos seeking mental health treatment.

Over 150 individuals have availed themselves of the agency’s online psychosocial counseling as of this month.

Despite this, Go expressed belief that the government can do more to lend support to Filipinos during the crisis, including expanding existing mental health services, raising awareness about mental health issues and addressing barriers such as stigma, access and inconvenience, that discourage people from seeking treatment.

He encouraged the aforementioned departments to take advantage of online platforms, such as social media and other technologies, which may provide free and greater access to mental health care and psychosocial support.

Last May 28, Go presided over a Senate health committee hearing to discuss Senate Bill 1471, which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) 11036 or the Mental Health Act.

Filed by Sen. Sonny Angara and supported by Go, the bill will enhance Section 5 of RA 11036 or the Rights of Service Users.

The new section will provide Filipinos with mental health conditions immediate access to the “compensation benefits and/or any special financial assistance that he or she is entitled to under existing laws should the service user sustain temporary or permanent mental disability while in the performance of duty or by reason of his or her office or position.”

The proposed amendment is an opportunity to reinforce the rights and protections afforded to affected Filipinos, according to Go.

Essential workers reporting for work despite facing substantial health risks must be adequately protected, he said.

The senator reminded employers that the mental well-being of their employees has a direct impact on their productivity.

“Now more than ever, they must fulfill their moral obligation to take care of their workers, given the emotional toll of the pandemic,” he said.

“With or without COVID-19, health is very important, the health of our fellow Filipinos… Let me reiterate: let us learn from this pandemic and work together to strengthen our health care system and to better provide quality health care to our people,” he added.