Abstract
The first mental health act legislation in the history of the Philippines has been officially signed into law and was enacted as the Republic Act no. 11036 on 21 June 2018. It provides a rights-based mental health bill and a comprehensive framework for the implementation of optimal mental healthcare in the Philippines. We review the principles and provisions of the Mental Health Act of 2017 and the implications for mental healthcare in the Philippines.
Highlights
We review the principles and provisions of the Mental Health Act of 2017 and the implications for mental healthcare in the Philippines
Proposed more than 3 years ago, the Philippine Mental Health Act was passed in the congress and senate in 2017 (Senate Bill No 1354, 2017) and signed into law on 21 June 2018
The country has lacked a formal structure in which to enshrine the rights of those people with mental illness, their families, and the rights and responsibilities of mental health professionals and government in relation to mental health
Summary
The majority of psychiatrists work in for-profit services or private practices, mainly in the major urban areas, especially in the capital region of Metro Manila (Samaniego, 2017) Despite these problems, raised awareness of mental illness in recent times has led to increased governmental application and focus. Proposed more than 3 years ago, the Philippine Mental Health Act was passed in the congress and senate in 2017 (Senate Bill No 1354, 2017) and signed into law on 21 June 2018 Prior to this bill, the Philippines were one of a minority of countries with no mental health legislation. The bill, the first in the country’s history, provides a rights-based mental health legislation It mandates for the provision of psychiatric, psychosocial and neurological services in all hospitals, and basic mental health services in community settings. With some foresight, the Act seeks to integrate mental health into the educational system by promoting mental health programmes in schools and other organisations
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