BAGUIO CITY – City officials seek to strengthen the promotion of mental health programs and public health in the city.
Under Resolution No. 660, series of 2024, local legislators stated that given that the cultural stigma surrounding mental health prevents individuals from seeking help, there is a need to strengthen and raise the promotion of mental health programs and public health to a higher level to reach a wider audience.
During the Scout Official For A Day (SOFAD) session held on October 21, 2024, the SOFAD Council adopted the proposal of SOFAD Councilor Ehrol Yhael D. Fernandez that sought to strengthen the promotion of mental health programs and promotion of public health in the city.
Republic Act (RA) 11036 or the Mental Health Act was signed into law on July 24, 2017 where the State commits itself to promote the wellbeing of people by ensuring that mental health is valued, promoted, and protected; mental health conditions are treated and prevented; timely, affordable, high quality, and culturally appropriate mental health cases are made available to the public; mental health services are free from coercion and accountable to the service users and persons affected by mental health conditions can exercise the full range of human rights, and participate fully in society and at work free from stigmatization and discrimination.
Further, the law provides that responsive primary mental health services shall be developed and integrated as part of the basic health services at the appropriate level of care, particularly at the city, municipal and barangay levels.
The council noted that the number of individuals experiencing mental health problems in the city is increasing exponentially, which is quite alarming, and is aggravated by the insufficient number of mental health professionals and facilities to meet the growing demand in addressing mental health issues.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the mental health unit of the City Health Services Office for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
