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Mental health law to help fight illegal drugs, says Hontiveros

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ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><div id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1_Container"> <ivs-player id="IVS_ABS_Body_Video_1" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-vid="1454200" data-ivs-floating="1"></ivs-player> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/iframe-parent.js"></script> <script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script> </div></figure><p>MANILA - Senator Risa Hontiveros believes passing a Mental Health Law would also help the country fight illegal drugs. </p><p>Hontiveros said illegal drugs, which also deals with addiction, is not only a law enforcement issue but also a public health issue.</p><p>&quot;We should look at it also as a public health problem, hindi lang law enforcement. At sa ilalim niyan, mental health problem nga,&quot; she told ANC on Monday.</p><p>The senator said the Mental Health Bill, which was recently <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/02/17/senate-passes-mental-health-law-on-3rd-reading">passed on third reading</a> at the Senate, will help patients become fully-functioning members of the society again. </p><p>According to Hontiveros, mental health remains a concern as data show 7 Filipinos commit suicide everyday. She added that people with mental health concerns also suffer stigma from society. </p><p>Under the Philippine Mental Health Act of 2017, she said, mental health will be integrated into the school curriculum to reduce discrimination of patients. </p><p>Hontiveros added that the Department of Health is mandated to increase mental health professionals in the country under the proposed measure.</p><p>&quot;May isang pag-aaral na half of all adult Filipinos consulting health professionals in rural areas, kalahati, may nade-detect na mental health problem dahil sa kakulangan ng pagkakataon para magpa-checkup,&quot; she said.</p><p>Hontiveros hopes the House of Representatives will be able to pass its version of the Mental Health Bill this year.</p>

<p>Senator Risa Hontiveros believes passing a Mental Health Law would also help the country fight illegal drugs. </p>

Senator Risa Hontiveros believes passing a Mental Health Law would also help the country fight illegal drugs.