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Politics

MARK VILLAR WANTS URGENT ACTION ON SUICIDE CASES

Senator Mark Villar called for urgent and comprehensive government action to address the rising number of suicide cases in the country, stressing the need to expand access to mental health professionals and services, strengthen prevention efforts, and provide adequate funding for mental healthcare. In his privilege speech in observance of Suicide Prevention Month, Villar said […]

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Politics

ARAGONES EXPANDS PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES IN LAGUNA

Expanding access to mental health care, the Provincial Government of Laguna under Governor Sol Aragones is bringing psychiatric services closer to Lagunenses as Dr. Jose P. Rizal Memorial District Hospital prepares to begin psychiatric consultations in September. The hospital will offer consultations every Saturday and Sunday, with the specific consultation hours to be announced.  Laguna […]

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Politics

MENTAL HEALTH TELE-COUNSELING IN SCHOOLS PUSHED

Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan is eyeing the establishment of a free online-based counseling program in public schools to make  anti-bullying and mental health support services easily accessible to students.   Yamsuan said his proposed tele-counseling program under House Bill (HB) 5240 will further expand the scope of the  newly implemented school-based mental health support and […]

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Politics

LAZATIN: PHILHEALTH SHOULD COVER MENTAL HEALTH

Pampanga First District Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. wants mental health emergency, psychiatric, and neurological services to be included in the PhilHealth Mental Health Benefit Package for Out-Patient. Lazatin filed House Bill No. 2933 or “Expanding The Primary Care Package Under PhilHealth To Include Benefit Package For Mental Health And For Other Purposes”. In the […]

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Politics

IRR FOR BASIC EDUCATION MENTAL HEALTH ACT SIGNED

The Department of Education (DepEd) is intensifying its efforts to enhance mental well-being in schools, aligning with the newly signed Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. Signed by the President on December 9, 2024, the law mandates comprehensive mental health programs across […]

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Government

ANGARA LAUDS LAW ON BASIC EDUCATION MENTAL HEALTH

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday signed the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, a landmark measure aimed at strengthening mental health programs in schools and creating new plantilla positions for school counselors. “When our learners and school personnel are mentally healthy, academic performance improves, absenteeism decreases, and a culture of compassion and […]

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Politics

YAMSUAN WANTS AFFORDABLE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Bicol Saro Partylist Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan wants Congress to pass a law that would guarantee the availability of affordable in-patient and outpatient services  for all Filipinos struggling with mental health conditions.  With the rising cases of mental health disorders in the Philippines, Yamsuan said the government should  be both  “administratively and financially prepared” to address the growing need […]

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Government

DOH OPENS PSYCHIATRY WARD AT QMMC

The Department of Health (DOH) led by Secretary Ted Herbosa, and Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) Medical Center Chief Dr. Evelyn Victoria Reside, launched the Psychiatry Ward and Complex in QMMC and 36th Bagong Urgent Care Ambulatory Service Center (BUCAS) Center, in time for the celebration of National Mental Health Week. The inauguration of the […]

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Politics

BINAY: DON’T MISUSE MENTAL HEALTH IN HEARINGS

Senator Nancy Binay expressed concern over the use of mental health as a convenient excuse to avoid congressional inquiries and investigations. According to Binay, similar committees which are holding their respective investigations in aid of legislation must remain vigilant against the misuse of mental health claims to undermine the Senate. “Ang ayaw po nating mangyari […]

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Politics

BONG GO BACKS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN SCHOOLS

Senator Bong Go, chairperson of the Committee on Health, manifested his support to a bill he also filed and authored that seeks to strengthen mental health services in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) across the Philippines. Go underscored the urgency of addressing mental health concerns, which have long been sidelined, with a notable lack of […]