Senatorial candidate Camille Villar called on PhilHealth to expand furthet its coverage on mental health.
“It’s not easy but it’s real. Mental health is one of my core advocacies. It is not something that should be hidden, or become one’s source of embarrasment,” she said.
She said mental health services must be accessible for all sectors of society, including students and working professionals.
PhilHealth earlier rolled out its Outpatient Benefits Package for Mental Health, which aims to improve access to comprehensive mental health services.
These services include initial assessment, medical consultation, diagnostic tests, psychosocial support, professional interventions, and specialized care.
The benefit package covers a range of conditions, including depression, psychosis, child and adolescent mental and behavioral disorders, dementia, and suicide risks.
In marking Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Villar reminded the public that mental health concerns should be addressed.
As part of her advocacies, Villar earlier filed House Bill No. 10933, or the proposed “Teacher’s Mental Health and Wellness Act.”
She said the proposal seeks to provide holistic support to all educators in the country, recognizing the crucial role they play in nation-building.
The bill aims to ensure that teachers’ mental, emotional, and psychological well-being is given the same importance as their professional development, as their welfare directly affects the quality of education.