Twisted thoughts

Mental Health Advocacies are shits

I don't believe it when influencers say they advocate for mental health.

To me, mental health topic is just being talked about for clout, to have something talk about and to make the person sound "caring" "empathic" "smart and relevant" "beauty queen", and whatsoever fancy hero like image.

I don't care about various groups being formed that says they advocate mental health.

Because no one ever took REAL actions. What do they do?

Facebook motivational posts? Yes.

Conduct mental health seminar? Yes.

And so?

Advocacies are just advocacies without actions that addresses the gaps and the problem and solves them.

Their seminars helped inform people. But not brige the gap and solve the problem or help people solve the problem.

What they do are no brainers.

People already know that they need to seek professional help. But how could they do that when they can't afford those? It is just adding more financial burden to them. And mental health becomes accessible only to those who can afford it.

The poor? Left to suffer. No help from the government whatsoever.

You see, the problem is in the system.

Health profession is supposedly highly profitable and respectable. But the reality in the Philippines is that, health courses are expensive, but there is little opportunity and appreciation to work here in the country and practice it. That's why many nurses go abroad.

How much more for our mental health professionals? A lot studies psychology. Many passed board exams for psychometrician and psychologist. But there are few job openings for those. Few mental hospital. Few mental/behavioral clinics.

Many talents and skills are wasted.

We have mental health law, but the law barely does something.

We have Phil health, but mental health care isn't included in the package...

If they really care for mental health of our people, if they really advocate and want change to happen, the solutions are simple:

1. Amend the law and mandate that Phil health must include budget for free mental illness medicines. Include it in the Yakap coverage. Along with free mental health check up and diagnosis.

2.  Conduct free mental health consultation in different baranggays.

3. Free early assessment for neurodevelopmental disorders in children.

4. Baranggay psychological clinic and behavioral clinics

5. Sharpen the teeth of the law against cyberbullying and school violence.

6. Build more mental health facilities and hospitals then hire a lot of mental health professionals. Give high salary and due benefits.

7. Have a mental health leave.

So on so forth. These are real. Not just all talk, no walk and directly addresses the gaps of why people have difficulty accessing mental health in this poor country, Philippines!