Senator Mark Villar urges stronger gov't action on mental health

Senator Mark A. Villar urged the government to strengthen the country’s mental healthcare system, citing the growing number of Filipinos struggling with mental health concerns and the lack of professionals available to provide support.

In a privilege speech for Suicide Prevention Month, Villar said mental health services should be made more accessible nationwide and backed by sufficient government funding, while efforts to prevent self-harm and address the stigma surrounding mental health should also be intensified.

“Our people deserve a healthcare system that treats mental health with the same urgency, respect, and dignity as physical health. The numbers are deeply concerning,” Villar said.

Villar cited Philippine Statistics Authority data showing 3,379 deaths from intentional self-harm in 2024, an increase from 3,133 in 2023. The Philippine National Police also recorded nearly 2,000 suicide cases from January to June 2025.

The situation was particularly pronounced in Metro Manila, where the NCR Police Office recorded 111 cases from January to March 2026, compared with 33 cases during the same period last year—a 236-percent increase.

Villar said access to professional help remains a major challenge amid a severe shortage of mental health practitioners.

A 2026 analysis cited in his speech found that the Philippines has only 409 accredited psychiatrists nationwide, with 54.52 percent of them based in Metro Manila. This translates to just 0.38 psychiatrist for every 100,000 Filipinos, well below the World Health Organization-recommended minimum of 10 per 100,000 cited in the speech.

“But Mr. President, how can we expect Filipinos to seek help when help itself remains difficult to access?” Villar said.

The senator said expanding facilities and increasing the number of mental health professionals would not be enough unless the government and communities also address the stigma that prevents many people from seeking help.

“It is high time to stop romanticizing resilience when what our people need is support. Hindi kahinaan ang paghingi ng tulong. Hindi ito pag-iinarte. At lalong hindi ito dapat ikahiya,” Villar said.

He urged families, friends and communities to make discussions about mental health more common and to support people who are going through difficulties without judgment.

“Nawa’y i-encourage, i-normalize, at buksan natin ang usapin tungkol sa mental health sa ating mga kaibigan at mahal sa buhay. Tulungan nating wakasan ang stigma. Ugaliin nating kumustahin at pakinggan nang walang paghuhusga ang mga taong nakakaranas ng mental health struggles. Iparamdam natin sa kanila na hindi sila nag-iisa sa laban na ito,” Villar said.

Villar stressed that mental health concerns can affect anyone and that access to care should not depend on where a person lives, their age or their social status.

“Self-harm and mental health-related deaths are not merely statistics. Behind every number is a person—a friend, a family member, a colleague, or a schoolmate. There are lives and stories behind every figure we present in this Chamber,” Villar said.

“Dapat nating mas pagtuunan ng pansin, palakasin, palawakin, at gawing mas accessible sa lahat ng ating kababayan dahil ang ganitong kondisyon ay walang pinipiling lugar, oras, edad, kasarian o katayuan sa buhay,” he added.

With Congress working on the proposed 2027 national budget, Villar called for adequate funding to fully implement existing mental health laws and further develop the country's mental healthcare system.

“As we deliberate the 2027 National Budget, let us seriously consider the funding for comprehensive, integrated, and responsive implementation of our laws and the improvement of our mental healthcare,” Villar said.

He also cited legislative measures he has filed in the previous and current Congress that seek to improve prevention, early intervention and access to mental health support.

These include the Student Guidance Counseling Act, which was incorporated into the Comprehensive School Safety Act; the One Registered Nurse in Every Barangay measure; the Anti-Workplace Bullying Act; and the Youth Suicide Prevention Act, which Villar said would institutionalize suicide intervention through life-planning education for young people.

Villar said the country’s response to mental health concerns should go beyond commemorating Suicide Prevention Month and translate into concrete policies and resources.

“As we observe the Suicide Prevention Month, let us honor those we have lost not only with words, but with meaningful action. May their lives strengthen our resolve to act and to legislate with compassion, urgency, and purpose, in service of every Filipino,” Villar said.

“One life needlessly lost is already one too many. We must take our part in ensuring that no life would succumb to the pressures of mental health struggles,” Villar concluded.