CITING the importance of early intervention and prevention in treating mental illnesses, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara has urged PhilHealth to cover the fees for consultations with psychiatrists.
Globally, more than 300-million people are now living with depression, the leading cause of ill health and disability.
A 2011 World Health Organization study found that the Philippines had the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia.
The recent deaths of well-known personalities Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have sparked calls to strengthen mental health policies worldwide.
“Mental and behavioral disorders can lead to impairment in judgment, self-inflicted pain, or worse, suicide. This can be prevented,” said Angara,
He related that early intervention through consultation with psychiatrists and proper medication should be readily accessible for ordinary Filipinos.
“The huge expenses should not be an obstacles especially to the poor, to seek medical treatment,” said Angara.
The senator has been leading the call in the Senate for the expansion of PhilHealth’s primary care benefit package, which includes free checkups and consultations, laboratory tests, and medicines, for all Filipinos.
Currently, PhilHealth only covers hospitalization brought about by acute attacks of mental and behavioral disorders at a package rate of P7,800.
Consultations and medicines are not covered.
In 2016, a national suicide prevention hotline called HOPELINE was launched by the Department of Health.
However, the service is limited to answering calls and questions, and referring patients to mental health professionals.
The Philippines has only 490 psychiatrists or one psychiatrist per 250,000 Filipinos—a far cry from the standard ratio of one per 50,000 people.
“Another problem is we do not have enough psychiatric facilities and psychiatrists in the country,” said Angara.
Angara, one of the authors of Senate Bill 1354 or the Mental Health Act, said he was optimistic that President Rodrigo Duterte would sign the measure into law soon.
The bill was transmitted to Malacañang in May 21.
The mental health bill aims to provide basic mental health services down to the barangay level by mandating the DoH to provide psychiatric services to all regional, provincial, and tertiary hospitals, while increasing the capacities of mental health professionals.
“While the government works to make mental health care more affordable and accessible, another challenge is getting Filipinos to overcome stigma.”