Duterte signs landmark mental health law
No one has to suffer silently with mental health problems from this day onward. President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill that integrates mental health in the general healthcare system, Sen. Risa Hontiveros announced on Thursday.
According to Hontiveros’ office, Duterte approved the Mental Health Law or Republic Act 11036 on Wednesday, a day before the bill lapsed into law. The new legislation provides PhilHealth coverage for mental health patients’ check-ups, medicines, and confinement. It also includes the opening of units that are specially designated for them to be attended by health workers.
Hontiveros reiterated the government’s commitment to a “more holistic approach to healthcare” and said that “there is no health without mental health.”
“No longer shall Filipinos suffer silently in the dark. Mental health issues will now cease to be seen as an invisible sickness spoken only in whispers,” added Hontiveros.
Prior to the passage of the law, PhilHealth only covered hospitalization caused by acute attacks of mental and behavioral disorders at a package rate of P7,800, according to Sen. Sonny Angara.
Angara commended the president for signing the Mental Health Act into law. He said that in drafting the IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations), the proponents of the law hoped that free psychiatric consultations and medicines would be made available for all Filipinos.
In the country, seven Filipinos commit suicide each day while one in five adults suffer from a certain type of mental disorder.
Moreover, it pays to know that there are also different organizations in the Philippines dedicated to addressing mental health problems. Crisis hotlines have been created in order to make individuals suffering from any form of mental disorder feel that someone is ready to listen to them.
Here are some of the hotline numbers:
Crisis Line
Tel: 893-7603
Globe: 0917-8001123
Sun: 0922-8938944
Natasha Goulbourn Foundation
In Touch Crisis Lines:
0917-572-HOPE or (632) 211-1305
(02) 893-7606 (24/7)
(02) 893-7603 (Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm)
Globe: 0917-8001123 or (632) 506.7314
Sun: 0922-893.8944 or (632) 346.8776
Information and Crisis Intervention Center
(02) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917-558-HOPE (4673) or (632) 211-4550
0917-852-HOPE (4673) or (632) 964-6876
0917-842-HOPE (4673) or (632) 964-4084
Dial-a-Friend
Tel: 525-1743, 525-1881
Hopeline
PLDT: 804-4673
Globe: 0917-5584673
Toll-free for Globe/TM: 2919
via ABS-CBN News
