𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻 𝗯𝘆: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐎𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐚
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗯𝘆: 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚

“Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change” — The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores as the globe celebrates World Mental Health Day this year on the 10th of October.

As we steadily turn up the volume on mental health discussions, ensuring that every stigma is not finally left embedded for long — in the pursuit of change, are we actually hearing every single voice?

Eight years on since Philippine Mental Health Act (Republic Act No. 11036) was passed, in accordance with its provisions, public awareness surrounding mental health has proliferated. School-based seminars stress the importance of seeking help and the integration of social media campaigns continuously encourage the masses. Yet, we rarely talk about the people who study, prepare, or spearhead to get the crisis out of limbo. Because behind the slogans or hashtags lies a stark professional reality for the most of them.

Even mental health spirals into the political sphere—including those who experience it and those who uphold the profession to ease its issues.

RA No. 11036 also mandates for integrated mental healthcare services in primary care, regional and provincial hospitals, and barangay health programs. However, local psychologists face a severe lack of institutional support that is expected to enable the order.

WHO recommends that there must be ideally at least 10 psychiatrists per 100,000 population. But in the case of the Philippines, there are approximately one psychiatrist for every 200,000 Filipinos. Absence of competitive wage offers also persist, driving them out of the country.

Before assuming that the youth’s interest and talent are waning, we must question the system that seemingly hinders them to enter the institutions that most need their developing expertise.

Amidst reports on the shortage of actual practitioners, the September 2026 board results conversely affect the response we could articulate out of the matter. It delivered a record-breaking 14,146 newly Registered Psychometricians (RPMs) with an unprecedented 91.72% national passing rate.

This creates the grim irony within the health agencies that must have effectively amplified the message drawn from every advocacy established by the Mental Health Act. The promises remain largely on paper, while the well-being of the very professionals training to heal others is left unraveling.

A system that sets aside the factors that could disconnect the reality it aims to build— from the reality that sits outright of the people it serves will only widen the dissonance among underserved communities.

When local government units (LGUs) fail to integrate psychologists into our basic civil service, social welfare offices, and barangay health centers, leave them underpaid, and when government plantilla positions just don’t simply exist—they are not the only ones who become strained. Accessible services to suffice the needs of the people also gets locked out in institutions, privatizing mental health.

If we do not realize that mental health is not an isolated medical issue, but one that reflects the negligence imposed to the supposed healers, the structural crisis that already exist will only continue to compound.

Because to echo a stronger mental health system, our government must hear the people who make up that same system—ensuring a just and ethical investment despite the structural circumstances forcing them to whisper.