•
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Investigate all cases that involve putting service users under
involuntary treatment, confinement, or care. CHR must
perform these investigations to make sure that treatment
methods comply with domestic and international standards.
The methods have to be done legally and appropriately;
services should be of high quality.
Appoint a commissioner for mental health. Their main task is
to protect and uphold the rights of mental health service users
and those confined in mental health facilities. The commissioner
must do the same for the rights of mental health professionals
and workers.
•
o Supporting DOH, PCMH is tasked to put together a unified and
integrated mental health service delivery network.
o They’ll also nudge government agencies and stakeholders to report
information about mental health policies and programs.
•
o It’s also NCMH’s responsibility to create a program that combines
hospital-based and community-based mental health care.
Along with CHR, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is also responsible for
receiving such complaints and resolving them in an appropriate manner.
•
Upholding and protecting the rights of mental health service users is a group
effort. Aside from the CHR and DOJ, other agencies and institutions help
out, as well:
•
o DOH is also responsible for identifying and reporting mental health
data and use this to improve the delivery of mental health services
throughout the country. They should also use the data they gather to
come up with strategies to prevent cruel, inhumane, and discriminatory
mental health treatment methods.
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Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Civil
Service Commission (CSC)
o Focusing on workers’ rights, DOLE and CSC need to develop guidelines
on evidence-based mental health programs in the workplace.
o Address workplace stigma and discrimination against workers living
with mental health disabilities. One way is to develop policies that
promote mental health in the workplace.
Department of Health (DOH)
o Their task is to prioritize mental health research and academic
collaboration on a national level.
National Center for Mental Health (NCMH); formerly
the National Mental Hospital
o As the Philippines’ premier training and research center under the
DOH, NCMH will collaborate with government agencies to perform
and publish research on mental and neurological health. This role makes
them the Repository of Research on mental health.
o They will also design capacity-building training programs and rightsbased psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial services for people
living with mental health disabilities and mental health service providers.
If the commissioner finds that a mental health facility, mental
health professional, or mental health worker has violated the
Mental Health Act, it’s their duty to resolve the violation. If it takes
filing administrative, civil, or criminal cases with the appropriate
government agency, then the commissioner must do so.
What about other institutions and government agencies?
Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH)
•
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
o Refer people who need mental health services to mental health
facilities, professionals and other service providers who can help them.
o Give access (or, in some cases, provide) group housing facilities, and
opportunities for therapy, counseling, and livelihood training.
o Coordinate with the DOH and local government units (LGUs) to
create and implement psychosocial support.
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