PEOPLE experiencing depression or anxiety should not look too far for help. Mental health care and services should be available and accessible even at the barangay level to be able to address the issue before it gets more serious.
The government has taken the first important step of enacting the Philippine Mental Health Law, which will establish national mental health policy directed toward improving the overall health of Filipinos. This has elevated the conversation about mental health, but still, too many people do not get the help they need.
This is a serious and urgent condition. As a nation, we must look out for one another, and reach out to those struggling with mental health issues – be it a member of the family, friends, co-workers, or even those unknown to us.
Aside from the family, among the first responders to a person experiencing depression are barangay health workers in the community. As such, community health workers should have adequate training and skills in handling mental health issues. Part of the effort to remove the stigma on people experiencing mental health issues is ensuring they can run to the government or institutions that would help them.
In this 18th Congress, Senate Bill 258 has also been filed seeking to exempt drugs and medicines prescribed for mental health conditions from value-added tax.
We must all help one another rid our society of the stigma associated with mental illness, encourage those living with mental health conditions to get the help they need, and ensure those who need help have access to the support, acceptance, and resources they deserve.
