(Eagle News) — The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill creating a national mental health policy, the first of its kind in the country.
Senate Bill No. 1345, or the Philippine Mental Health Bill which was filed on Feb. 17, was passed on final reading on the Senate’s first day back in session.
The bill–which seeks to incorporate mental health services in the public health system— was sponsored by former Senate Committee on Health chairperson Sen. Risa Hontiveros, principally authored by Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, and co-authored by Loren Legarda, Antonio Trillanes IV, Bam Aquino, Sonny Angara, and Joel Villanueva.
It mandates the provision of basic mental health services at the barangay level.
Under the measure, psychosocial, psychiatric and neurologic services will be provided in all regional and provincial medical institutions.