DOH vows to support mental health facilities, strengthen community-based programs

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday vowed to support mental health facilities across the country and strengthen community-based mental health programs.

DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire met with the officials of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong City to discuss ways to increase access to and improve delivery of mental health services.

During the meeting, Vergeire highlighted the importance of improving research on mental health and allocating the budget to train mental healthcare professionals.

"Stigma and discrimination continue to hamper us from maximizing our mental health services and programs. Recognizing these challenges, we have adopted a non-specialized approach to bring mental health services closer to the communities, ensuring that mental health care is available for all life stages in various settings and levels of care,” Vergeire said.

“Further, we need the support of other sectors to eliminate the stigma around mental health and help make Filipinos healthy, both physically and mentally," she added.

Vergeire also visited the different facilities at the NCMH and witnessed patients' routines and activities, which are essential components to consider when they are reintegrated into the general community.

The DOH earlier said the number of calls to the NCMH's crisis hotline increased in the first quarter of 2021.

Citing data from the NCMH, Vergeire said a total of 3,006 calls were made to the 0917 899 8727 (USAP) and 989 8727 (USAP) hotlines from January 1 to March 15 in 2021. Of this number, 867 were related to suicide.

The most common reasons for calling the NCMH hotline were anxiety and depression, stressful life events, interpersonal concerns, mood concerns, and referral services. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News