Image from DOH website - The Department of Health is now prioritizing mental health
- Health chief said the agency will push for the immediate passage of the Mental Health Act
- Mental Health First Aid used in Region 8 during super-typhoon Yolanda will also be used in PH
Mental health is now a priority of the Department of Health (DOH), DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial assured.
In an article written by Charina Clarisse Echaluce of Manila Bulletin, it was disclosed that Ubial said the agency is now prioritizing mental health and is pushing for the immediate passage of the Mental Health Act.
“We’re actually submitting health priority legislative agenda to the Office of the President for inclusion in the SONA (State of the Nation Address). It’s important that our legislators be aligned with the priorities of the executive in terms of pushing for legislation and policies that will benefit the Filipino people. Kasama po ang mental health… abangan n’yo na lang po kung i-include nila kasi pina-prioritize po natin [Mental health is included. Let us see if they will include it in the SONA as we have prioritized it already],” the health chief noted.
The MH Act aims to protect the rights of people with mental disorder and/or disabilities by putting in place an official body that will oversee the policies and programs that need to be developed to prevent and treat mental illnesses, and to promote the mental health of Filipinos.
The DOH is also checking if it can do something in schools to take care of students’ mental health.
“What will be the activities in the school that will strengthen their mind and mental health, [for them to become] mind strong. Actually there’s a module developed in Oregon USA and we’re adopting that for inclusion in the curriculum in DepEd,” Ubial said.
Aside from this, the Mental Health First Aid used in Region 8 during super-typhoon Yolanda will soon be used nationwide.
Watch celebrities call for the passage of MH Act:
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