The Department of Health admitted on Thursday the lack of mental health professionals to address the looming mental health crisis in the country.

"Subjectively, I know there we do not have enough psychologists and psychiatrists," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of the 2024-2028 Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework in Pasay City.

"So, we need more young people to be encouraged to go into psychological sciences," he said.

Herbosa issued the remarks when asked whether the country has enough human resources for mental health after the Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. raised the alarm over the "rising epidemic of mental health crisis" in the country.

Citing data from the DOH, PMHA said at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.

The PMHA said that access to mental health services in the country "remains limited and unequal due to stigma and scarce resources."

There is also less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos, according to the group.

To address the problem, Herbosa proposed easing the requirements for psychologists and guidance counselors who want to work in government agencies.

"The government requires psychologists interested in working for them to have a master's degree, but their compensation is very low," he said.

Currently, he noted that psychologists in the government earn up to P27,000 per month under salary grade 11.
"That is wrong. So, I'm calling on CSC (Civil Service Commission) to change that," he said.

P600M budget for mental health programs

Herbosa also said that the Health department would receive a total of P600 million to support its mental health programs for the upcoming fiscal year.

"During our budget hearing in Congress, one congressman specifically was looking at the mental health budget which seems smaller but actually, it's not because other mental health programs like substance abuse, and mental health institutions were not looked at," he said.

The DOH chief said he is going to properly utilize the proposed budget to implement the Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Act.