The government will continue to support programs that would ensure the mental well-being of Filipinos, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Monday.

The President made the remarks during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) as he recognized mental illness as one of the “pressing yet delicate social issues of the day.”

He cited the government’s support to athletes competing abroad and the resumption of the Palarong Pambansa as part of the efforts to address the burden of mental illness and improve mental health and well-being of the people.

“We will continue to support these health-enhancing sports programs. Through these, we [will] also set forth our youth on the same well-established path that has taken some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness,” Marcos said.

Aside from these physical activities, the President said the Department of Health (DOH) has launched its comprehensive mental health plan, which includes ensuring sufficient supply of medication.

He also pointed out that PhilHealth has also released this year its mental health benefit package for its members.

Previously, PhilHealth only covered mental health conditions, such as dementia, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders under Mental and Behavioral Disorders through in-patient cases.

With the new policy coverage, the DOH and PhilHealth will accommodate outpatient cases, with two main components: the General Mental Health Services and the Specialty Mental Health Services.

Under the General Mental Health Services, patients can avail screening, assessments, follow-up visits, psychoeducation and psychosocial support, and medicines that are currently provided under the medicine access program for mental health. Package per patient per year is at PhP9,000.

On the other hand, the Specialty Mental Health Package, which is valued at PhP16,000, patients may avail for assessment, diagnostics, follow-up visits, psychotherapy, and medicines. PND