Bong Go seeks stronger mental health programs as depression rises

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go is urging stronger mental health interventions as a new study reveals that cases of depression among Filipino youth have more than doubled in the past eight years.

Go raised concern over findings from a peer-reviewed study published in Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, which showed that moderate to severe depressive symptoms among Filipinos aged 15 to 24 increased from 9.6 percent in 2013 to 20.9 percent in 2021. The trend reportedly began before the COVID-19 pandemic but worsened amid prolonged school closures and limited access to care.

“We cannot ignore the mental health of the youth. With so many problems around them — from social media to personal struggles — they need someone who will listen and help,” Go said in Filipino.

The senator emphasized that youth must be supported in ways that are timely and responsive to their current challenges.

"Let us remember that the youth are the future leaders and the hope of our nation. We must support them in ways that are timely and responsive to the challenges they are currently facing," he added.

The study drew from data in the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) and examined symptoms like loneliness, poor sleep, and appetite loss among nearly 30,000 respondents.

As chair of the Senate Committees on Health and Youth, Go has long advocated for reforms addressing the country’s mental health care gap, particularly in underserved areas. His Senate Bill No. 2598 proposes the creation of Mental Health Offices in all public higher education institutions, offering free counseling and 24/7 support hotlines to normalize help-seeking behavior among students.

"There should always be a place young people can turn to when they are struggling. Seeking help for mental health should never be something to be ashamed of," Go said.

He also co-authored Republic Act No. 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which mandates mental health programs in elementary and high schools.

In addition, Go championed Republic Act No. 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, requiring the establishment of specialized mental health units in regional hospitals. He also pushed for the expansion of PhilHealth benefits to include mental health services.