The DOH and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as well as the private sector, have been diligently working on addressing the mental health concerns of Filipinos. Nevertheless, this crisis is expected to linger beyond the pandemic. Hence, more action is required from all sectors of society.
Three years ago, President Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act, which we co-authored and helped pass along with my colleagues Senators Tito Sotto, JV Ejercito, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Loren Legarda, Antonio Trillanes, and Bam Aquino. 
This landmark legislation strengthened the country’s response to what many have dubbed as a “silent killer” by mandating that mental health services are provided at all levels, from tertiary hospitals down to our community health centers. It also integrated and promoted the importance of mental health in our educational institutions; mandated the formulation of mental health programs and policies in the workplace; and ensured PhilHealth coverage for mental health conditions.
When we co-sponsored the measure, we hoped to help Filipinos overcome mental health’s stigma and emphasize the truth that such illnesses, just like any other physical ailment, can be adequately addressed—often through professional help. We also aimed to assure the public that whenever the need arises, there are mental health interventions they can access.
Back then, like the rest of the world, we had no inkling about the crisis that we all find ourselves in. Today, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic disrupted not only the country’s already fragmented health system but also everyone’s day-to-day lives. Understandably, the radical changes that came, along with the economic instability and uncertainty brought about by safety protocols and health restrictions, have taken a toll on the mental health of our countrymen.
In fact, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC) have called on countries to ramp up their psychological support to health workers and others experiencing psychological problems. The IFRC noted that while mental health is not particularly high in the agenda for eradicating the pandemic, addressing this problem is very important as this impacts millions of people.
The Philippines is not exempt. The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) reported that the number of calls its hotline received for the first quarter of the year almost doubled when compared to 2020—from 1,540 in January to March 2020 to around 3,819 calls in the same period for 2021. The Department of Health (DOH) also cited that the average monthly calls to the crisis hotline have reached over 1,000. And of that number, a monthly average of 374 were suicide-related.
Our healthcare workers are among the most vulnerable in terms of psychological stress. In fact, a National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) article cited multiple studies where healthcare workers “expressed degrees of moderate and severe depression” in addition to the prevalent stress due to the pandemic. In the Philippines, many of our health professionals have been away from their families for months. And while most of them have already been vaccinated, the hesitation of visiting loved ones remains since most of their family members have yet to be inoculated.
The crisis is also exacting a heavy toll on the country’s youth. In our consultations with students from Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga City, General Santos City, Bulacan, Laguna, Pangasinan, and Batangas, among their numerous concerns was their mental well-being. According to these students, the pandemic is not only hindering their interactions with classmates and friends but also causing them anxiety on how COVID-19 will impact their employment opportunities in the near future.
The DOH and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as well as the private sector, have been diligently working on addressing the mental health concerns of Filipinos. Nevertheless, this crisis is expected to linger beyond the pandemic. Hence, more action is required from all sectors of society.
We are inspired by the report of the DOH that they are piloting a Mental Health Playbook which they hope would be launched this year. Developed in partnership with the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association (PGCA), Peer Organization of the Philippines (POP), and the Youth for Mental Health Coalition, Inc., this playbook aims to help establish peer support groups as an early mental health intervention among the youth. Moreover, we hope that the PhilHealth Mental Health Benefit package, which reportedly is in its final stages, will be rolled out soon, given that the current package only covers hospitalization.
As the pandemic rages, we should ensure that Filipinos are provided with a safe space to express their emotional concerns and are afforded the opportunity to access much-needed mental health interventions. In short, as our country moves from response to recovery, our mental well-being should also be considered a priority.
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Sen. Sonny Angara has been in public service for more than 16 years. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.
The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) crisis hotline can be reached through 1553 (Luzon-wide, landline toll-free), 0966-351-4518, 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0908-639-2672
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E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara/WDJ