Individual+Research+on+Mental+Health+Bill

=Individual Research on Mental Health Bill= = = Hi, Groupmates! Please put your individual research on Mental Health Bill on this page. Don't forget to cite your sources and to put your name. Thank you!

The 1987 Philippine Constitution states on Article XIII, Section 11 that the "State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers." This is our country's responsibility to it's constituent. As a member of this nation, we have the right to have access to goods, health and other social services that are affordable or even free.

In a disability survey conducted by the National Statistics Office in 2000, the survey revealed that mental illness is the "third most common form of disability" after visual and hearing impairments. The study conducted in 2000 also said that there is an average of 88 reported cases of mental illness per 100,000 Filipinos. In a separate study by the Social Weather Stations, it was said that 0.7% of the total household in the Philippines during the year, 2004, have a member with mental disability. The most reported cases of mental illness are often linked with familial or hereditary mental disorders including schizophrenia alongside with mental illness linked with psychosocial development. Also in the Philippines, it was noted that substance abuse (narcotic drugs, other chemicals, etc.) are the leading direct and indirect causes of mental illness. What is more surprising is that a World Health Organization study revealed that in three primary health centers in Manila, one out of 5 adults and one out of 10 children ages 5 to 15 consulting to these centers have mental disorders.

In response to these findings, the National Center for Mental Health was established through the Public Works Act 3258, which "aims at integrating mental health within the total health system, initially within the DOH system, and the local health system." Moreover, Republic Act 9165 or the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act" was passed to control the number of cases of mental illness in the Philippines since substance abuse is regarded as the leading cause of mental illness in the country. Incidentally, in 2001, the Department of Health have issued the "National Mental Health Policy," which states the basic framework for the achievement of optimum mental health for all Filipinos. The said policy also aims to raise awareness of the general public on the importance of mental health as an integral part of "total health care".

Just recently, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Rep. Arthur Pingoy jointly filed a house bill that will establish a "National Mental Health Care Delivery System" and the "Philippine Council for Mental Health." House Bill 6679 aims to address the increasing problem of the country on mental health and programs with regards to mental health.

The perception of traditional Filipinos on mental health and mental illness could also be attributed to be the leading cause why Filipinos hesitate to seek professional help with regards to their mental well-being. There's was a notion that those seeking help from psychiatrist and/or psychologists are crazy and are excluded from the social system and treated as "outcasts." We Filipinos somewhat fail to take care of our mental health due to the lack of information and education. Therefore, the Department of Health should mobilize its departments and other government agencies to promote and raise the awareness of the general public on mental health and its importance.

Reference:

http://www.doh.gov.ph/programs/mental_health

http://www.doh.gov.ph/ncmh/

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/aug/14/yehey/metro/20090814met1.html

http://docs.google.com/www2.doh.gov.ph/noh2007/NOHWeb32/NOHperSubj/Chap4/MentalHMD.pdf


 * Researcher: || **Janice M. Cabusas** ||
 * Researcher: || **Janice M. Cabusas** ||

According to the World Health Organization, Mental Health is "A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease". It is related to the promotion of well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, and the treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders.”¹

The National Mental Health Program of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control under DOH states that mental health is an integral component of total health. Issues on mental health includes not only the traditional mental disorders but as important are the concerns of target populations vulnerable to psychosocial risks brought about by extreme life experiences (e.g. disasters, near death experiences, heinous and violent crimes, internal displacement brought about by religious and civil unrest) as well as the psychosocial concerns of daily living (e.g. maintaining a sense of well being in these difficult times).²

To date, not a single Law nor National Policy that focuses on the holistic mental health systems exists. In “promoting mental health throughout the lifespan to ensure a healthy start in life for children and to prevent mental disorders in adulthood and old age” (-WHO), Republic Act No. 9288 (Newborn Screening Act of 2004) could provide partial answers for a “healthy start” , but the preventive and curative aspects of mental health programs seem to be lacking. Moreover, there are no clear-cut policies that specifically address the rights of mentally-ill individuals that would avert discrimination and discourage callous treatment even from health workers in large psychiatric institutions funded by the government.

The evident neglect of mental health awareness resulted in a rise in cases of psychiatric syndromes in countries of low or middle-incomes as noted by the World Health Organization. The onset of economic depression forced thousands of Filipinos to work abroad resulting to family disintegration that yielded prevalent psychoactive drug abuse among the youth as one of the unpleasant effects. In 2005, the University of the Philippines conducted a survey and found 45 percent of Filipino adolescents are struck with depression. Despite the compelling figures, the advocates of mental health management pioneered by NGOs such as the Philippine Mental Health Association have had to take the backseat for almost two decades to give way to government priorities that take in hand economic issues. Apparently, the government had not been keen with psychology for lack of funding and instead dismissed mentally-ill individuals such as psychotic vagrants (//taong grasa//) as social work cases, thus, leaving them in the hands of medically ill-equipped social workers.

Although there are existing laws against psychoactive drugs, particularly R.A. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which deals mainly on the prevention of the unlawful propagation of these prohibited drugs in the mainstream, criminal procedures, court proceedings and penalty on violations as well as rehabilitation of known confirmed users more particularly among the youth, the government failed to oversee the preceding scenario prior to drug abuse which should be considered a more important aspect in the promotion of mental health (i.e., prevention of mental disorders resulting from family disintegration and economic depression).

Nota Bene:

- The National Mental Health //Program// was established in 2007, by virtue of Administrative Order No. 2007-0009 signed the Secretary of Health. - Republic Act 9165 amends the Dangerous Drug Act of 1972 otherwise known as R.A. 6425 thereby incorporating, among others, the Declaration of Policy in the former which lacks the latter, giving emphasis on the protection of the youth from the dangerous effect of drugs on their physical as well as mental well-being.

Sources: ¹ -World Health Organization, [] -Department Of Health, [] -R.A. 9165, [] -Inquirer.net, [] -R.A. 9288, [] -A.O. 2007-0009,http://www.doh.gov.ph/files/ao2007-0009.pdf

To uphold the right of the people to mental health care and instill mental health consciousness among them, Speaker Prospero C. Nograles Wednesday unveiled a blue print for a National Mental Health Care Delivery System contained in the proposed "National Mental Health Act of 2009."
 * __Junalyn Camacho __**

 "It is crucial that the country adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to the development of a system to deliver the appropriate services and interventions to promote mental health care," Nograles said.

 Nograles and Rep. Arthur Y. Pingoy, chairman of the House Committee on Health, jointly filed HB 6679 seeking the establishment of "The Philippine Council for Mental Health" with the necessary funding provisions.

 Mental health is the state of well-being in which an individual is able to fulfill his potential in every stage of his development at work and in his relationships, copes with day to day and extraordinary stresses of life and contributes to his community.

 "It is important to promote mental health while, at the same time, institutionalize programs to combat mental illnesses that negate maximum productivity of those affected," Nograles and Pingoy said.

 They pointed out that the long and grinding socio economic and political challenges, not to mention the country's vulnerability to natural disasters, Filipinos must continuously deal with the tremendous psychosocial consequences of these nerve-wrecking experiences.

 "The high unemployment rate and the increasing loss of jobs, the increasing number of overseas Filipinos and its impact on the family, and the growing incidence of domestic violence and child abuse are among the current conditions that threaten the people's mental health," the authors pointed out.

 According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, one out of five adult patients and one out of ten children ages 5 to 15 years old have diagnosable psychiatric disorders.

A population survey conducted in the Western Visayas Region in 1994 showed that 32 percent of adult Filipinos and 22 percent of children were diagnosed to have psychiatric syndromes. This translates to one out of three Filipino adult and one out of five children have a psychiatric disorder.

Another study (L.L. Ignacio et al) conducted in three primary health centers in Manila showed that one out of 5 adults and one out of 10 children ages 5-15 years old consulting these centers have mental disorders.

A similar study in three municipalities in Bulacan showed that 34 percent have psychological symptoms. The same study also showed the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, alcoholism and chronic psychosis.

"However, only 5 percent of these consultees in general health clinics were recognized by the physicians, midwives and barangay health workers in these areas. This low recognition of said illnesses only showed the incapacity to recognize the need to treat these disorders as part of their daily health care activities," the authors noted.  With the prevailing global economic crisis, it can be expected that more Filipinos will suffer mentally and productivity will ultimately suffer, a fact that our country can not afford to tolerate or ignore, Nograles said.

"We don't have to go far as the streets of Metro Manila are a landscape of this growing menace. Many of these patients roam the streets abused and ridiculed," Nograles and Pingoy pointed out.

"These problems are manifestations of the glaringly low priority which is given to the provision of mental health care. Thus, this legislative initiative to institutionalize a comprehensive and integrated national plan to ensure sustained delivery of mental health care," Nograles concluded. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The Council will have the Secretary of Health as ex officio chairman. There will be an Executive Director (vice chairman), three representatives from the government health sector, two from the private health sector, one from the academe and one from non-government organizations.

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> **Reference:** <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">http://www.congress.gov.ph/press/details.php?pressid=3630

Research materials and synthesis thereof by: Kathleen Faye Toribio (susunod ko na lang ung sources and iuupload ko dito some other useful sources.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Cases of mental disorder are widespread in the Philippines. Patients and their families alike are affected by the afflicting mental illnesses are affected emotionally, mentally, and financially. <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Persistent economic crisis in the country along with its topographic vulnerability to disaster makes the Filipino Citizenry vulnerable to mental illnesses and disorders. Natural disasters, tragic events and experiences, death of love ones, child abuse, and domestic violence may affect one’s behavior and may later manifest symptoms of having mental disorder. Recently, our country suffered from economic crisis, political instability and recession which greatly affected millions of Filipinos. It has been a constant problem of the Philippines for a long time but its excruciating effect was felt on the last part of 2007 up to present. Filipinos are groaning more and more because of poverty. Specially in the current economic climate there are reports of cases like suicide and killing of their own families for lose of hope and fear that they might not provide a good living and future to them. <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">(
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 24pt;">I. Introduction **
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">GUYS, LET US REFRAIN FROM USING THE 1ST PERSON **

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Just in time with the global recession, rising poverty, and intensifying pressure from current demands, the Philippine House of Representatives have finally drafted the bill to focus on the rising cases of mental health and illness- House Bill 6679, to be short-titled as the National Mental Health Care Act of 2009.

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> The said bill, filed by House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Representative Arthur Pingoy, is the country’s first attempt of legislation focusing on mental health and illness. Review of current laws in the Philippines shows that issues related to mental health are only touched upon by several codes, rules and procedures but there had been no single legislation addressing mental health as a primary topic, (Review of Existing Mental Health Laws and Legislation). The proposal came six years after the World Health Organization issued the Mental Health Legislation Policy and Service Guidance Package in 2003 and four years after the WHO-AIMS (World Health Organization Assessment instrument for Mental Health Systems) in 2005. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Good mental health means balancing the social, physical, spiritual and emotional aspects of one’s life. To maintain good mental health include getting sufficient sleep, eating well, keeping fit, making time to do the things you enjoy, spending time with friends, laughing, volunteering, giving and accepting compliments, really listening to others, and not being too hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Mental health should be given priority because it “represents one of the last frontiers in the improvement of the human condition.”[|[1]] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> Mental health is the state of well-being in which an individual is able to fulfill his potential in every stage of his development at work and in his relationships, copes with day to day and extraordinary stresses of life and contributes to his community[|[2]]. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';"> Mental illness refers to mental or psychiatric disorder characterized by the existence of recognizable changes in the thoughts, feelings, and general behavior of an individual brought about by neurobiological causes manifested by genetic, biochemical abnormalities and associated medical conditions and psychosocial factors in the environment which impacts on the individual.[|[3]] <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif';">Around the world, a reported 75% of countries have mental health legislation. (revie of related mental health laws). However, according to research, countries spend little on mental health, especially developing countries. Developing contries like the Philippines spends as less as 1% of their Gross Domestic Product while developed countries spend about 5% of their GDP.

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">This paper is concerned primarily with checking House Bill 6679’s compliance with The WHO Mental Health Policy and Service and Guidance package (WHO,2003). The package provided practical information to assist countries to improve the mental health situation in the country’s/ region’s citizenry. The paper secondarily aims to produce some contrasts with some mental health legislations in other countries deemed successful with lowering incidence of mental health disorders.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> [|Psy11 Group 5 Term Paper (Draft).doc] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> [|Tentative Cover Sheet.doc] <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">[|[1]] //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Awake! //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">, April 8, 2008, p. 29 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> [|[2]] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> House Bill 6679, par. 2 <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> [|[3]] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> House Bill 6679, par. 3


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 24pt;">II. Mental Health and the Government **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> According to the World Health Organization (2007), "Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community".

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> The National Mental Health Program Mental of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control under the Department of Health (DOH) states that mental health is an integral component of total health. Issues on mental health includes not only the traditional mental disorders but as important are the concerns of target populations vulnerable to psychosocial risks brought about by extreme life experiences (e.g. disasters, near death experiences, heinous and violent crimes, internal displacement brought about by religious and civil unrest) as well as the psychosocial concerns of daily living (e.g. maintaining a sense of well being in these difficult times) (DOH, 2007).

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> The 1987 Philippine Constitution states on Article XIII, Section 11 that the "State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers." This is our country's responsibility to it's constituent. As a member of this nation, citizens have the right to have access to goods, health and other social services that are affordable or even free.

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">However, in the Philippines’ laws, it can be noted that no legislation has been directly concerned with mental health as an isolated concerned but was just incorporated in codes and rules subordinate to other primary concerns. For instance, Family code of 1988, article 45 paragraph 2, In this code, mental disorder is to be a valid ground for annulment. Also in the case of Act No. 3815, as amended (1926): The revised Penal Code, wherein an imbecile or insane person was exempted from any criminal liability and be confined in a mental institution.

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> WHO has outlined the guidance package so that legislation be made to protect the rights of the people with mental health disorders who are vulnerable to face social stigma, discrimination and marginalization in all societies. The organization had made it clear that common misconceptions, like the danger of mental health patient to society, should not be allowed to influence mental health legislation. Legislation is also expected to play an important role on the promotion of mental health and the prevention of mental disorders

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> WHO identifies two ways of forming Mental Health Legislation. It can be in the form of consolidated legislation which makes the provisions easy to adopt and enactment without the need for multiple amendmentsto existing laws. The process alone of drafting, adopting and implementing this type of legislation provides opportunity to raise public awareness about mental health and illnesses. However, the concerning part of which is that consolidated legislation can also give way to further segregation of mental health patients.

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> One way to avoid such discrimination, according to WHO, is to insert mental health provisions related to mental health into other legislations. On the other hand, this is advantageous in aspects where the consolidated type would be successful.

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> It should be cited, however, that even though there are distinctions, the Organization says that one is better than the other and the complexity of mental health problems would most likely be addressed by a combination of the two. WHO also reiterates that mental health legislation should not just be a one-time event but a continuing process that should suit the call of the times with initiative to amend existing provisions (review of existing mental health laws). <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The number of psychiatric beds in the Philipppines is .09 per 10,000 individuals as compared to 0.6 and 28.4 per 10,000 individuals in Iraq and Japan respectively. 77% of these beds in the Philippines are located in the National Capital region (NCR). As result of low budget appropriations, psychopharmacologic medicines in the Philippines, though listed in the county’s list of essential drugs, are often in short supply. Eventhough there is a mental health policy signed and promulgated during in 1998 which outlines the creation the Philippine Council for Mental Health, it is still being hampered primarily by a miniscule budget, that is 0.02% of the country’s total health budget, which is only 3% of the country’s GDP. The said council never convened (Reyes,_ __)A factor being seen why the country giving little attention, and funding to mental health illnesses is the Citizenry’s traditional belief that mental illness is a form of evil possession, sorcery, or bad //karma//. **(**__ __** [] )  **__ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 18pt;">VI. Salient Points of House Bill 6679: Mental Health Act of 2009 with Reactions __
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 18pt;"> III. The Problem of Mental Health in the Philippines **

__<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 18pt;">HB 6679’s Compliance with The WHO guidelines for Mental Health Legislation __ __The minimum requirement of having the least restrictive setting been clearly outlined in the House Bill. This includes the move from institutionalized treatment to community-based and further confinement from voluntary to forced only for exceptional cases. i.e, when there is a highly serious threat to the patient’s and/or community’s safety, severity of mental illness likely to lead a serious deterioration in his condition, or when appropriate treatment can only be done by admission to a mental health facility. The bill, also pushes for admission consented by the patient himself, as, again guided by the WHO. The bill is also successful in the defining cases where involuntary admission can apply.__ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> It should also be cited that confidentiality has somehow had been given emphasis in the bill, however, it could have been more restrictive and should have defined what ‘justifiable’ circumstances to obtain another person’s mental health record would comprise of. __ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> On the other hand, the bill does not outline procedural mechanisms that protect the rights of people with mental disorders who are being treated either voluntarily or involuntarily. It also is vague in the appointment of guardians of persons who are not competent to make decisions and manage their own affairs. The bill only put the responsibility of giving consent for admission on the shoulders of the person’s next kin or the legal representative. However, in other decision-making instances, like the specification as to where the patient is to go home in the case of community-based treatment, there had been no provision. There also had not been a provision on the protective mechanisms to prevent the abuse of powers by guardians. __ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> One of the clearest points made by the bill is the creation of the Philippine Council for Mental Health, which corresponds to the regulatory authority defined by the Guideline, whence specifications of compositions, powers and duties, and salary have been specified. __ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The proposal is also weak in the components concerning sectors outside the health sector such as housing and education. It actually does not contain any provisions as to how people outside mental institutions are to be regulated if they are to undergo a community-based mental health treatment. It also does not contain any provisions on the assertion of a person’s right to employment, which is a very important aspect of community integration. __ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The Guideline have mentioned the advantage of extending disability pensions to afflicted persons. However, the current financial standing of the Philippines, this still may be too much to ask and impossible to abide with, so at the moment, such provision is acceptable to be non-existent. __ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The Bill is also lacks propositions outlining some of the most basic rights like the right to vote, marry, have children, own property and have freedom of movement and choice of residence as previously mentioned. It is also very limited in the mention of improvement in access of psychotropic medication. The bill also does not have any single provision on punishments to be imposed to institutions, professionals, guardians, or members of the community who would violate the rights of the mentally afflicted, same way that it does not identify reinforcements for community members who helps in the attainment in the improvement of mental health in the community. Also, The bill had mentioned the incorporation of mental health care to the primary health care system but it did not outline any timeframe to do so. __ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Very prominent weaknesses in the legislation can perhaps be attributed to the fact that the draftees of the bill does not have particular expertise in mental health. It would be of great difference if the writing of this important piece of legislation be handed to a special committee composed of dynamic expertise in mental health as proposed in the WHO Guideline. Yes, after the approval of this bill it would be handed to experts but it would undeniably be of greater difference if from the beginning, experts have been heavily consulted. __ __<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> On a lighter note, the bill should be commended on the clause of retraining professionals so that they would be made acquainted and adapted with the the community-based system. It may be intimidating, expensive, and impossible at first, but this should be a good jumpstart for the changes advocated by the bill as these people are going to be the ones largely responsible for the improvement of mental health problems. Although, most likely than not Financial limitations would pose challenges. (WHO, 2003) __ =<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">As mentioned previously, the integration of mental health system in the General health care system and the introduction of community-based healthcare was not given a legislated time-frame to accomplish. The time frame could have been effective to hasten the attainment of the primary goals of the bill, first of which, of course is to improve mental health of those afflicted and lessen the cases. It also would prevent fund wastage by Council Officials who could lag behind to squeeze funds for useless ventures or for their own pockets. Severe punishment could also have been outlined to prevent corruption in this new Council. =

__<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 15pt;">On The Provisions Directed to Mental Health Care __ __<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">On Promoting Deinstitutionalization of Mental Health Care __ =<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">__Deinstitutionalization, or the treatment of mental disorders outside of mental hospitals and bringing them back into their community before they became mentally afflicted, aims to reduce the social stigma and myths associated with mental disorders. On a more in-depth view of this move, social stigma and exclusion that comes with other people’s preoccupation just reinforces their problems, pushing them further into isolation, then into further illness. Dr. Benedetto Serrano, Director of the WHO Mental Health and Substance Abuse Department, said that aside from the accessibility of community mental health care to severe patients, this particular kind of environment is more effective in taking care of patients’ needs compared when they to be in a confined asylum setting. Still according to him, human right violations would be lessened (__ <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">__Community mental health services will lessen social exclusion, says WHO__ <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">__). This may be quite true as family, friends, and the community in general would be in check what professionals and attendants are doing as compared to when patients would be confined in asylums which are dominated by people unrelated to the patient beyond the public eye. Whence, they are unchecked and cannot be controlled by anyone but their own conscience.__ =

=<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> __The country being a long-standing //developing// country, this provision of the bill helps financially. As previously mentioned, WHO has proven that the integration of mental health care in the community setting makes treatment faster. This, then, would lessen costs in treatment and operational costs that can be expected to be of proportion to the size of the institution (i.e, bed capacity and trained mental health professionals and workers) whence a patient to be maintained. Putting patients in outpatient care and live with their own communities, except in cases where there “exists a serious likelihood of danger of harming himself or others”, would also allow mental health professionals and workers to extend their practice to more needy patients because they can draw their attention to more of them when patients go home to be tended by their families or friends.__ =

=<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">On the Integration of Mental Health Care in the General Health Care System =

=<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> This part of the plan along with community-based treatment may be the hardest part to implement due to the stigma that comes along with being a mental health patient. It might take long before people without mental disorders to accept that they are being treated in an institution that also takes care of mentally deviant patients. = <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Other challenges may include loss of political support, and thus, appropriation issues and even resistance from health workers. (WHO, integration pdf, p 9).

<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> First it should be made clear that in this paper, primary care for mental health refers specifically t to mental health services that are integrated into general health care at a primary care level. __<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Primary care for mental health pertains to all diagnosable mental disorders, as well as to mental health issues that affect physical and mental well-being. Services within the definition include: (1)first line interventions that are provided as an integral part of general health care; and (2) mental health care that is provided by primary care workers who are skilled, able and supported to provide mental health care services. While this report recognizes the importance of community-based programmes, they are not the focus of this report; nor are self-care, home care, and informal mental health care provided by community members __ (WHO, integration pdf, p 9). __. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The WHO provides seven good reasons for integrating mental health into primary care and it as follows: • The burden of mental disorders is great. • Mental and physical health problems are interwoven. • The treatment gap for mental disorders is enormous. • Primary care for mental health enhances access. • Primary care for mental health promotes respect of human rights. • Primary care for mental health is affordable and cost effective. <span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: HelveticaNeue; font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">• Primary care for mental health generates good health outcomes. <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Latest word count on the entirety of this contribution and other already-existing parts in the page: 3084