Two proposals focused on strengthening the campaign against the mental health crisis in the country have been filed in the House of Representatives by Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar.

Under House Bill No. (HBN) 10934, Villar aims to include mental health disorders in the benefit packages available through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“In order to address this apparent mental health crisis among our population, this bill will expand the coverage of the benefit package to include all mental health disorders, regardless of age group,” Villar explained.

Villar expressed concern over a report from the Philippine Council for Mental Health indicating that 3.3 percent of the country’s population, or 3.3 million Filipinos, are experiencing depression.

Once enacted into law, the PhilHealth benefit package will include emergency services, psychiatric and neurological services, the Mental Health Gap Action Program, and therapy sessions.

“This bill also addresses the rising costs of mental health treatment by mandating an appropriate increase in PhilHealth’s benefit package, taking into account the current costs of medical services,” the lady solon added.

Meanwhile, Villar’s second proposal, HBN 10929, aims to provide a three-day mental health wellness leave with full pay for workers in both the public and private sectors.

“It is the hope of this bill to increase labor productivity and efficiency and raise awareness of the importance of mental health not only for the individual well-being of employees but also for the overall health and well-being of our nation,” she asserted.

Villar stated that her proposals are further enhancements to Republic Act No. 11036, or the Mental Health Act.