SENATOR Mark Villar filed a measure that aims to protect the overall well-being of the youth by establishing a post-traumatic stress disorder awareness and education program.

In filing Senate Bill 1524, Villar said that post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental condition that is usually triggered by a terrifying event that was experienced or witnessed by a person suffering from the condition.

The senator cited in his bill a report of the Department of Health that PTSD can develop at any age.

“Not all scars can be seen by the naked eye. Some are ingrained in the heart and rooted in the soul like an invisible wound,” Villar said in his explanatory note.

He said that children below six years old tend to reenact the traumatic event they experienced while the older children fantasize having revenge.

On the other hand, hyperarousal can happen on elderly population.

It was also recorded that in some instances, having a heart attack is associated with up to 15% of PTSD episodes.

“Given the numbers of Filipinos suffering from PTSD, it is necessary for the government to create programs to raise awareness on the PTSD and give support to those who are suffering from the condition,” Villar stressed.

The bill seeks to look for ways to help those suffering from PTSD to cope with its detrimental effects.