RODRIGUEZ, Marion Patricia L.

1E
L-1800073

R.A. 11036
An act establishing a national mental health policy for the purpose of enhancing the delivery of
integrated mental health services, promoting & protecting the rights of persons utilizing
psychiatric, neurologic & psychosocial health services, appropriating funds therefore, and for
other purposes

The Mental Health Act is an exercise of the basic right of the Filipinos to mental health as
well as the fundamental rights of the people who require access to mental health services. This law
is an avenue to promote the well being of the people by securing the rights and welfare of persons
who are suffering from mental illness, provide mental health services down to the barangays;
integrate psychiatric, psychosocial and neurologic services in regional, provincial, and tertiary
hospitals, improve the country’s mental health care facilities, and educate the people about mental
health in schools and workplaces.

This law is very significant because it basically screams that HELP IS HERE. Gone are the
days wherein people with mental illness or disabilities are being judged and excluded from the
society. Gone are the days that mental health problems are being disregarded because people
believe that it is just in the mind of the person suffering and that, he can conquer it or heal it
himself. And also, gone are the days where people suffer silently in the dark and cries for help but
no one hears it.

The Mental Health Act is very relevant with what is happening in our society because
according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the author and principal sponsor of the law, every day, 7
Filipinos turn to suicide. 1 in 5 Filipino adults also suffers from a form of mental disorder such as
depression, which is very common to Filipino teenagers nowadays. This law is the answer to cease
mental health issues and for it to be an invisible sickness spoken only in whispers.

Additional notes:
- Philippines – mental health remains a misunderstood & stigmatized topic (kaya may mga
cases ng discrimination sa work)
- Schools and other educational institutions are the major players in this law because it is a
MUST to incorporate mental health in their curriculum
- Before the passage of the law ito yung mga available medium when it comes to mental
health
1. Health insurance coverage- covers only the patient’s hospitalization as long as the event
was caused by extreme or acute episodes of mental or behavior disorders
 2. Mental health hotlines- first legislation to protect the rights as well as the welfare of
the Filipinos with mental health conditions

- In order to build a mindstrong nation & be armed with socio-economically &

psychologically competent citizens, we must first acknowledge the fact that there are no
programs & policies designed to protect the mentally ill, prevent the mental illness and
promote mental health