AnaKalusugan Party-list wants mental health to be a priority of government and is pushing for the creation of mental health centers in every region.
AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray T. Reyes co-authored House Bill (HB) No. 3582, or the proposed Mental Health Center Establishment Act which aims to make mental health care more accessible in the provinces.
Under the proposed measure, the DOH would be tasked to establish centers in the different provinces and regions to make mental health services readily available for all Filipinos.
“Mental health and wellbeing should be a priority of our government and there is no denying that there is a need for more mental health centers in the regions,” he said.
Reyes expressed concern over recent figures from the Department of Health (DOH) which showed that at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological and substance use disorder.
“While more and more people are suffering from mental health issues, access to mental health services in the country remains limited due to stigma and lack of resources,” he said.
“Nakakalungkot dahil marami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa probinsya ang walang access sa mental health care,” the lawmaker added.
Under his proposed measure, the DOH would be tasked to establish centers in the different provinces and regions to make mental health services readily available for all Filipinos.
“Through this bill, we hope to make diagnosis, treatment, and care more accessible to Filipinos,” Reyes said.
