LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A recently filed resolution by Councilors Horacio Ramos Jr. and Estrella Adeban seeks to institutionalize a mental health care program with the aim to adopt a comprehensive approach to mental health problems within the municipality
According to Ramos, the resolution seeks to tackle issues of mental health by giving access to those in need of care, rehabilitation and aftercare, along with the full integration of the people with mental health disorders into the community and the promotion of mental health care to the different sectors of the society.
the program will consist of components that include mental health services development, capacity building reorientation and training, research and development, and an information education campaign. These components are interdependent and must be treated as such to tackle cases of mental health issues in the municipality.
Additionally, a local committee on mental health care will be created along with teams of allied professionals, legal representatives, mental health professionals and mental health workers who will work on the said program to seek ways to diagnose, treat and prevent issues of mental illness.
The funding required for such program will be supplied from the annual appropriation of the Municipal Health Services Office of the municipality.
Ramos said that the ordinance is to take effect in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991. The ordinance is set to go to its 3rd and final reading in the regular meeting at the municipality’s Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall at a later date.
By: Jesus Essa L. Calacala III