By JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS
ALARMED by the increasing number of mental health-related issues that plagued the public, particularly the youth sector, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed for the Third and Final Reading on Monday a landmark ordinance creating the Provincial Mental Health Council.
The ordinance will seek to promote mental health awareness and protect the right of those individuals undergoing treatment, ensure their dignity, respect and justice.
The measure also mandates the concern service providers to afford the necessary services following the internationally-accepted standards and accessibility. It also mandates the council to be created to promote the shift change from a hospital-based system of treatment to a strengthened community-based mental health program.
Principally authored by Senior Board Member Ma. Claudette U. Ambida and 2nd District Board Member Arlina Bantugon-Magboo, the “Ordinance Creating the Provincial Mental Health Council and providing for eh Community-Based Mental health program in the province of Batangas and Appropriating the Necessary Funds Therefor” is also co-authored by Vice Governor Mark Leviste and all the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Local legislators believe that the passage of the ordinance will held address the high rate of mental health issues that cause the increasing number of suicidal incidents in the province.
With the passage of the ordinance, Magboo said that the council may then indorse to the social welfare department for provision of medical assistance those individuals undergoing mental health treatment as such treatment needs a big amount of money.
However, mental health cases will be treated with utmost confidentiality and the exclusive rights of patients and former patients to have access to their medical records will be respected.| – BALIKAS News Network
