Doc Willie Ong eyes ramping up mental health services

Vice presidential aspirant Dr. Willie Ong has bared his strategies to address the ‘mental health crisis in the Philippines amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ngayong pandemic, talagang nakikita kong problema 'yung mental illness: depression, away sa pamilya,” Ong said in a statement issued Monday.

(Amid the pandemic, I see the problem of mental illness: depression, and fights among the family.)

Ong said the government must implement a widespread information campaign on mental health and provide mental health screenings for vulnerable groups.

He also seeks to increase the funding for mental health professionals and services and improve mental health research and surveillance.

Further, he said mental health should be included under the coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. The government should also promote workplace-based mental health programs and expand telehealth consultations.

According to Ong, many mental health services are not accessible to ordinary citizens.

“Dito sa Pilipinas, kung may depression ka, wala kang mapupuntahan. Walang libre (here in the Philippines, if you have depression, you can’t go anywhere. There’s no where free),” he said.

He also proposed for an increase in the budget of the  National Center for Mental Health and the appointment of a mental health czar. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA News