MANILA – Senators lauded the signing of Republic Act (RA) 11036, or the Mental Health Law, which seeks to improve mental health care in the Philippines.
The passage of the law is “an important step that would make a difference in the lives of people with mental illness,” said Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
He added, “Those afflicted by this health problem should no longer lurk in the dark.”
Pangilinan also urged government support for the implementation of the law.
“Funding is needed to pave the way for mental health research, diagnosis and treatment,” he stressed.
Sen. Joel Villanueva said the new law will help raise awareness of mental health and provide support for those affected by mental illness.
“Help is on the way. We thank the President for supporting the passage of the Mental Health Law which would provide access to affordable mental health care for every Filipino,” Villanueva said. “By making the mental health care accessible down to the barangays and promoting mental health education in schools and workplaces, this important piece of legislation would give awareness regarding mental health and remove social stigma against people with suicidal tendencies.”
The National Poison Management and Control Center of the Philippine General Hospital reported that 46 percent of the total suicide cases recorded since 2010 are from the youth – 30 percent are young adults aged 20 to 35 years old while the remaining 16 percent, teens aged 10 to 19 years old.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people 15 to 29 years of age worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
“Suicide is a public health issue that has not yet been given adequate attention for years. This problem may have affected someone we know, a member of our family, or within our circle of friends,” Villanueva said.
Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara said the Mental Health Act will make mental health care more affordable, accessible and equitable.
RA 11036 aims to provide basic mental health services down to the barangay level by mandating the Department of Health to provide psychiatric services to all regional, provincial, and tertiary hospitals.
Angara reiterated his call to PhilHealth to cover fees for psychiatric consultations and medicines.
“Under the Mental Health Act, PhilHealth must ‘ensure that insurance packages equivalent to those covering physical disorders of comparable impact are available to patients affected by mental disorders’, the senator said.
PhilHealth currently covers hospitalization brought about by acute attacks of mental and behavioral disorders at a package rate of P7,800.
With the passage of the measure, Sen. Risa Hontiveros assured that “no longer shall Filipinos suffer silently in the dark.”
“RA 11036 cements the government’s commitment to a more holistic approach to healthcare: that there is no health without mental health,” Hontiveros wrote on Facebook.
Malacañang regarded the signing of RA 11036 as “a testament of the President’s commitment to provide accessible and affordable mental health care and services to all Filipinos.”
“It forms part of the government’s mandate to design and implement a national mental health program and integrate this as part of the health information system, among others,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.
Roque hoped the law will help “neutralize the stigma” around mental illnesses.
“Implementing a universal mental healthcare system in the country would provide more awareness regarding mental health among Filipinos, especially given the rising number of suicide cases among the youth,” the Palace official said./PN
