BONG GO CHAMPIONS MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES; ADVOCATES FOR EXPANDED PHILHEALTH COVERAGE, COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT, AND URGENT POLICY ACTION

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, underscored the urgent need to address mental health challenges during a public hearing he led on Monday, November 25.

Opening the discussion, Go highlighted critical gaps in the country’s mental health interventions, calling for expanded PhilHealth benefits, strengthened community-based programs, and better access to mental health services for Filipinos. He stressed that these efforts must be integrated into the broader push for healthcare reforms.

“Part po ng specialty center itong batas na naipasa natin, itong Republic Act No. 11959 or Regional Specialty Centers Act. That’s part of the 17 specialties, ang mental health,” Go stated, emphasizing the significance of mental health in the national healthcare agenda.

The senator’s commitment to this cause is evident in his role as principal sponsor and author of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act. This landmark legislation mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within Department of Health (DOH) regional hospitals.

During the hearing, Board Member Geraldine Joy Ortega of La Union painted a stark picture of the mental health crisis in the Philippines. Presenting statistics, Ortega warned, “Suicide rates, especially among the youth aged 13 to 15, are alarmingly high. UP studies show that 1 in 5 Filipinos aged 15 to 24 have experienced suicidal thoughts, and 7% have seriously considered it multiple times.”

Ortega’s report included real-life accounts that underscored the severity of the problem. She recounted the story of a young woman in her province who was confined to a bamboo hut for two years due to schizophrenia and paranoia—a reflection of how families often struggle to cope with mental health conditions in the absence of adequate resources.

The pandemic, Ortega explained, has only worsened the situation, amplifying the challenges Filipinos face.

“The pandemic has brought two pressing concerns to light. First, mental health issues among Filipinos have risen sharply. It has become endemic within a pandemic. Second, many Filipinos continue to suffer in silence due to the lack of accessible mental health services and the stigma surrounding these issues,” she said.

She also highlighted the alarming shortage of mental health professionals in the country. With only about 1,600 psychologists and 500 psychiatrists nationwide, the ratios are staggering—one psychiatrist for every 120,000 Filipinos and one psychologist for every 68,000.

Building on these insights, Go, a health reform crusader, reinforced Ortega’s call to action and appealed to the DOH and PhilHealth to address gaps in mental health services. “Please take note of the suggestions of Board Member Joy Ortega. Importante po ang mental health, PhilHealth at DOH. Nakikiusap po ako… take note of it,” Go said.

As part of his legislative initiatives, Go filed Senate Bill No. 2598, or the SUCs Mental Health Services Act. The measure seeks to establish Mental Health Offices in every state university and college (SUC) campus. These offices aim to provide comprehensive support and intervention for students, faculty, and staff, addressing the escalating mental health concerns within academic communities.

This initiative aligns with the alarming data showing a rise in suicidal behavior among public school learners. The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded the mental strain on Filipino youth, making such legislative measures a crucial response.

Go has also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2200, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, principally sponsored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. This bill aims to integrate mental health education and support services into the curriculum of private and public schools, ensuring a holistic approach to youth mental health care.

The hearing emphasized the importance of grassroots-level interventions. Ortega proposed empowering barangay health workers and frontliners by equipping them with basic mental health training to serve as the first line of support in their communities.

The financial strain of mental health care was another recurring concern. Ortega pointed out that current PhilHealth mental health benefits, which range from PHP 9,000 to PHP 16,000 annually, are grossly inadequate. “A service user from Manila spends PHP 35,000 to PHP 40,000 a month. Sobrang mahal po, kaya kailangan pa ng dagdag-suporta mula sa PhilHealth,” she said.

She urged the expansion of PhilHealth coverage to include common mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, and depression. “Coverage should not be limited to severe cases but also address common issues like anxiety, stress, and depression. Prevention before treatment,” she emphasized.

Echoing these sentiments, Go called on PhilHealth to take immediate action. The hearing concluded with a firm reminder of the collective responsibility to address mental health.

Go reiterated, “Nakikiusap po ako sa PhilHealth at DOH. Take note of the concerns raised. Importante po ang mental health.”

Further underscoring progress on this front, Go’s office received a letter from PhilHealth on October 14, reaffirming its commitment to enhance benefit packages, including the rollout of a mental health benefit package by December 31, 2024.