AS chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his support for the Department of Health (DOH)’s newly launched 2024-2028 Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH) Strategic Framework, a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing mental health issues in the Philippines.

“Mental health is an integral component of holistic health. We need to treat it with the same level of attention, importance and care as physical health,” Go said.

“We cannot overlook mental health, especially during these challenging times. Many Filipinos are grappling with mental health issues, and it is crucial that we allocate sufficient funds for these programs,” he added.

The PCMH Strategic Framework is designed to shape policies for mental health. Endorsed by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Special Initiative for Mental Health, the framework prioritizes enhanced guidance and referral systems for patients, to establish an internal oversight board for mental health matters, and to educate media organizations on responsible reporting in the context of mental health.

“I am confident that we can address more mental health concerns in the country. With the contributions of all partner agencies under the PCMH and the guidance of WHO, we can achieve all the strategies we are set to do,” DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa earlier said.

Go has been a long-time advocate of mental health initiatives. During a Committee on Finance hearing earlier this month, he emphasized the need for proper funding and implementation of mental health programs.

“Hindi rin natin dapat kalimutan ang sapat na pondo para sa mental health programs lalo na sa panahon ng krisis tulad ng pandemya na marami sa ating mga kababayan ang apektado po ang mental health,” said Go.

He also highlighted that the proposed budget for DOH has been reduced by over ten billion pesos compared to the current year.

“We need to restore and allocate funds for various programs, including those focused on mental health. I endorse additional funding for the Department of Health and urge collective action to invest more in healthcare,” added Go.

Go’s focus on mental health is consistent with his ongoing legislative efforts. He has co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2200, known as the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. This measure principally sponsored by Sen. Win Gatchalian aims to provide comprehensive mental health support for the youth in the country’s basic education system, mandating both private and public schools to integrate mental health education and support services into their curriculum.

Furthermore, Go has also been pushing for the passage of his proposed SBN 1786, which seeks to mandate public higher education institutions to establish Mental Health Offices in their campuses.

The senator emphasized the urgency of addressing mental health issues among young learners, saying, “It is our moral and civic duty to respond with urgency and compassion. We must refuse to let another young life be lost due to untreated mental health issues.”

“As Chairman of the Committee on Health, I believe that physical, emotional, and mental health are all equally important, and I will continue to support measures that would protect and promote the different aspects of health as a whole,” Go underscored.