(Eagle News)–The budget for the Department of Health for 2020 should include funds for the training of local government workers so they can properly deal with mental health patients, Senator Francis Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan made the statement on Thursday, Oct. 10, as Congress deliberates on the proposed budgets of departments.
The Department of Budget and Management has proposed an overall P4.1-trillion budget for 2020.
According to Pangilinan, mental health care should be accessible even at the barangay level.
He said that while the passage of the Philippine Mental Health law, which establishes a national health policy, has “elevated the conversation about mental health,” too many people still do not get the help they need.
“Bahagi ng pagsisikap na alisin ang stigma sa mga taong nakakaranas ng mental health issues ay ang pagtiyak na maaari silang tumakbo sa gobyerno o mga institusyon na makakatulong sa kanila,” he said.
“Bilang isang bansa, dapat nating tulungan ang isa’t isa, lalo na ang may mental health issues — kapamilya man, kaibigan, katrabaho, o kahit na ang mga hindi natin kilala,” he added.
