PMHA calls for mental health awareness
Amid rise in suicide cases
AMID reports of rising suicide cases especially among young Filipinos, the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) on Wednesday urged local government units (LGUs) to localize mental health response through the enactment of mental health ordinances.
“Mental health ordinances will complement the Philippine Mental Health Law and localize response to prevent suicide, boost diagnosis and treatment of persons with mental health needs, and combat stigma,” said PMHA National Executive Director Dr. Carolina Uno-Rayco in a statement released during Mental Health Awareness Month in October.
The Philippine Mental Health Law or Republic Act No. 11036 was enacted in 2018. However, PMHA has seen challenges in implementation due to lack of funding, infrastructure, and licensed mental health professionals.
In the Philippines, mental illness is becoming a common disability and at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, and substance use disorder. PMHA also cited the recent Department of Education (DepEd) report that in academic year 2021-2022, 2,147 students in the public school system attempted suicide, while 404 died due to suicide. Following that, reports of more cases surfaced in different parts of the country, especially in rural areas of Sorsogon, Aklan, and Zamboanga.
“While the national government musters the necessary resources for the law to take its full effect, local governments must also keep a close eye and a caring hand for their constituents, ready to respond at a moment’s notice, including augmenting funds for localized services,” Dr. Uno-Rayco added.
Passed in 2017, RA 11036 mandates LGUs to pass local versions of the law in their respective localities, integrate mental health services into basic health services, as well as establish multi-sectoral stakeholder networks to identify, manage, and prevent mental health conditions, among other duties and responsibilities mandated by law.
For its part, the PMHA has been working with various LGUs in the country to ensure that they are able to provide and support mental health services locally. “Our work is cut out for us. Removing barriers to mental health services through localized interventions needs commitment from everyone in the community,” Dr. Uno-Rayco said.
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