MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan si Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian na tugunan ang shortage ng mental health professionals sa bansa, at palawakin ang serbisyo nito sa mga paaralan at komunidad kasunod ng insidente ng pamamaril sa mga paaralan.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Gatchalian na ang bansa ay kailangang makapag-produce ng mas maraming graduate na magiging mental health professionals, kasunod ng anunsyo ng Department of Health (DOH) na plano nitong magsanay ng mga healthcare worker para tugunan ang shortage.
“The Department of Health’s plan to train healthcare workers to provide mental health support can help address the shortage of mental health professionals,” ani Gatchalian.
“In the long run, however, we need to ensure that we will produce enough graduates who will become mental health professionals and such other professionals who are qualified to deliver school-based mental health programs and services,” dagdag pa.
Ani Gatchalian, ito ay nakaayon sa Republic Act No. 12080, o Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, na nagmamandato sa institutionalization ng mental health programs at serbisyo sa lahat ng basic education institutions.
“This should not be a privilege; mental health services should be accessible to everyone in all schools and communities,” sinabi ni Gatchalian. RNT/JGC
