Just three mental healthcare professionals for every 100,000 Filipinos

People at a public market in Manila. The country is training local health workers to be proficient in mental healthcare to address the shortage of experts. - Reuters

MANILA (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network): There are only three mental healthcare professionals for every 100,000 Filipinos, and in a situation where mental health disorders are underreported, the Department of Health (DOH) is training local health workers to be proficient in this discipline to address the shortage.

Health Undersecretary Beverly Ho, speaking at this year’s National Mental Health Summit held in Taguig City, said the “goal is to begin democratising mental health services... meaning, we don’t have to be specialist-oriented.”