The Philippines have a National Mental Health Policy (Administrative Order # 8 s.2001) signed by then Secretary of Health Manuel M. Dayrit. There is no mental health legislation and the laws that govern the provision of mental health services are contained in various parts of promulgated laws such as Penal Code, Magna Carta for Disabled Person, Family Code, and the Dangerous Drug Act, etc. The World Health Organization has collected information about the situation of the mental health system in the Philippines. The goal of the collection of information is to provide somewhat a guideline as to what parts of the mental health system that the PH government has to improve.
In 2019, National Center for Mental Health opened a crisis hotline in order to assist people with health concerns. According to Duque, “The hotline aims to send a message to those with mental health issues that they are not alone. It’s okay to not be okay…. There is hope. Recovery is possible and there should be no shame in getting help.” The crisis hotline is also for individuals needing mental health assistance related to issues such as gender identity and sexual orientation, school and career, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, and violence against women and children, among others.
Mental Health 