BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Center for Health Development of the Department of Health (DOH-CHD-CAR) has kicked-off the creation of the Regional Mental Health Council in the Cordillera region.
The Philippine Mental Health Law, also known as R.A. 11036 signed on June 8, 2018, mandates the establishment of a mental health council that will be the policy-making, planning, coordinating and advisory body to oversee the implementation of the law.
Among the topics discussed during the meeting which was attended by representatives from Cordillera offices of the Department of Interior and Local Government , Population Commission, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Civil Service Commission were: the purpose of regional mental health council, status of mental health in Cordillera, strategies on how to combat stigma on mental health, and development of referral system in the region.
According to Shamgar Douglas Mangida, Jr., the creation of the Regional Mental Health Council will help improve the mental health status in the region.
“Collaborative efforts of different national agencies in the region will help us to ensure that mental health in the Cordillera is valued, promoted, and protected.” he said.
The Regional Mental Health Council is expected to be created this year. Members will come from government agencies, civil/society and private organizations.
