Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicide
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is expanding its coverage to Filipinos experiencing mental health challenges, often referred to as “invisible pains.”
Through the Outpatient Benefits Package for Mental Health, PhilHealth aims to improve access to comprehensive mental health services. These services include initial assessment, medical consultation, diagnostic tests, psychosocial support, professional interventions, and specialized care.
The benefit package covers a range of conditions, including depression, psychosis, child and adolescent mental and behavioral disorders, dementia, and suicide risks. It provides crucial support to members and dependents as young as 10.
This initiative comes at a critical time for a mother and son in Malabon City, who struggle to find accessible mental health support due to prohibitive therapy costs.
Jackielyn Lorica, 44, recounted watching her son’s mental health deteriorate from the age of 10.
“It started when he was in Grade 5. His teacher called me because it seemed like he had a problem, but as far as I knew, he was OK. Then I received a call from my sister, telling me my son wanted to take his own life,” she said.
Jackielyn later learned her son endured physical and emotional bullying from classmates, including having his bag thrown out of class and being called “gay.”
These experiences, combined with academic pressures, led to severe stress and suicidal thoughts.
“That’s when I became alarmed. I was afraid. He would say he couldn’t see or breathe anymore. He would have these blank moments where he wouldn’t recognize me. When I would talk to him, it was as if he was refusing to hear me. He didn’t want to listen to anything I was saying. His cries were different. A mother just knows,” she said.
Learning about PhilHealth’s mental health package gave Jackielyn hope for her son’s needed help.
“We’ve gone through so much. He’s still dealing with it. When I learned about PhilHealth, it offered a huge relief because now I can get him checked. I couldn’t afford to get him checked before; we’re still saving up for it,” she said.
Under the Outpatient Benefits Package for Mental Health, PhilHealth provides annual coverage of 9,000 pesos for general mental health services and 16,000 pesos for specialized care.
Members and their dependents can access these services at any PhilHealth-accredited facility that provides general mental health services, including rural health units, city or municipal health offices, Level 1 and 2 hospitals, Department of Health Medicine Access Program mental health access sites, and stand-alone mental health clinics.
Specialized mental health services can be accessed at accredited Level 2 and 3 hospitals with specialized staff, custodial care facilities, and DOH-identified national specialty centers.
In Metro Manila, the New Lower Bicutan Health Center in Taguig City is processing requirements for the first payment tranche for mental health patients.
PhilHealth also extends support through 24/7 crisis hotlines, including the National Center for Mental Health hotline at 0917-899-8727 or 989-8727, for immediate counseling.
“We recognize the importance of accessible mental health services for every Filipino. We are calling for more providers to participate and make these services within reach of Filipinos with mental health struggles,” PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado said.
PhilHealth remains committed to strengthening the country’s mental health care landscape and service infrastructure to improve access to quality care for all Filipinos. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
