SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go called on Congress to ensure sufficient funding for mental health programs.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography made the appeal as he expressed his support for the Department of Health’s newly launched 2024-2028 Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework, a comprehensive plan to address mental health issues in the Philippines.

“Mental health is an integral component of holistic health. We need to treat it with the same level of attention, importance and care as physical health,” Go said.

“We cannot overlook mental health, especially during these challenging times. Many Filipinos are grappling with mental health issues, and it is crucial that we allocate sufficient funds for these programs,” he added.

Endorsed by the World Health Organization’s Special Initiative for Mental Health, the PCMH Strategic Framework prioritizes enhanced guidance and referral systems for patients to establish an internal oversight board for mental health matters and to educate media organizations on responsible reporting in the context of mental health.

Go has been a long-time advocate of mental health initiatives.

“Hindi rin natin dapat kalimutan ang sapat na pondo para sa mental health programs lalo na sa panahon ng krisis tulad ng pandemya na marami sa ating mga kababayan ang apektado po ang mental health,” he said.

Go’s focus on mental health is consistent with his ongoing legislative efforts.

He co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill 2200, known as the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act that aims to provide comprehensive mental health support for the youth, mandating both private and public schools to integrate mental health education and support services into their curriculum.