SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go backed the call of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for additional funding for the mental health services for children.

Philhealth made the plea following reports on increasing violent incidents and mental health problems among school kids.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography said that issues on mental health disorders are often misunderstood and neglected.

“I support it and considering na maraming mga kababayan natin ang apektado po ang mental health lalo na dahil sa krisis na dulot ng pandemya. Mahigit dalawang taon na po tayong nagsasakripisyo at hindi lang po sa mga bata, maging ang mga matatanda at OFWs natin, noong unang panahon, first few months of the pandemic, marami pong depressed, maraming apektado ang kanilang mental health. Lalo na ngayong hirap sila sa pag-aadjust sa buhay natin dulot ng Covid19,” Go said.

“Marami ang nawalan ng trabaho at kabuhayan, maraming naghirap, hindi alam kung saan kukunin ang pambili ng pagkain at panggastos sa araw-araw. At mayroong P1.86B budget ang DOH for mental health medicines under the 2023 national budget, mayroon din pong P12 million budget for mental health awareness and hotline. Consistent tayo sa pag-add ng budget for mental health,” he added.

Go filed Senate Bill 1786 that aims to mandate public higher education institutions to strengthen their mental health services and establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses.

The measure also mandates educational institutions to raise awareness on mental health issues, identify and provide support and services for individuals at risk, and facilitate access by developing mechanisms to further empower educational institutions in promoting the mental health and wellness of students, faculty, and other personnel.