Mental health issues a concern for Marcos

EYES WIDE OPEN

- IRIS GONZALES

Mental health problems in the country are on the rise. Some kids are not alright. President Marcos is worried.

At the awarding of the Medallion of Excellence to the 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos held recently in Malacañang, the President took time to talk to one of the awardees, Maria Regina Hechanova-Alampay.

Prof. Gina is a mental health expert and psychology professor at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

While congratulating each and every awardee, Marcos spent a few minutes to ask Prof. Gina what's the reason for the rise in mental health cases in the country. She said one of the reasons is the influence of social media.

Mental health, indeed, is a serious problem in the country and it's good that President Marcos is well aware of this.

According to the article, "Towards transforming the mental health services of the Philippines" by Rowalt Alibudbud, mental disorders in the country increase every year.

"In the Philippines, the prevalence of mental disorders ranged between 11.3 percent and 11.6 percent, with an average annual increase of two percent; increasing from 7.0 to 12.5 million Filipinos diagnosed with a mental disorder between 1990 and 2019. Anxiety and depression are the prevailing conditions. Considering these challenges, WHO (World Health Organization) advocated a strategic approach comprising increasing political prioritization and funding, developing a sustainable and transformative model of care and promoting a collaborative approach to practical context-specific measures."