14 2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic 17 Since the Philippines has the longest uninterrupted quarantine in the world and is now among the top 20 countries with the greatest number of COVID-19 cases, this put a huge toll on the current state of mental health of the people.42 The pandemic heightened the urgency of ensuring and fortifying the mental health of all, considering the major disruptions and alterations of one’s life, that many are experiencing due to the impact of the health crisis. One of its manifestations is the surge of calls made to suicide prevention hotlines based on WHO and DOH data. 43 44 18 A study by the Social Weather Station (SWS) conducted from 4 to 10 May 2020 showed that the pandemic brought great stress to 55% of the surveyed working-age Filipinos, and 34% experienced “much stress”. Of those who experienced great stress, at least 4.2 million families, or 16.7% of those surveyed, experienced involuntary hunger due to lack of food to eat. This shows how the enjoyment or non-enjoyment of ESCR greatly affects one’s mental health.45 Both WHO and DOH are fully aware of the situation and have launched a multi-sectoral approach for mental health, with programs and interventions across a variety of settings (e.g., workplaces, schools, communities) aimed at high-risk groups. The commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day also calls attention to the plight of those who are undergoing severe forms of depression.46 19 As primary response to people’s deteriorating mental health with or without a pandemic, the government enacted RA 11036, or the Mental Health Act, which mandates the provision of comprehensive suicide prevention services encompassing crisis intervention, and a response strategy on a nationwide scale. Also, the development of a multi-sectoral National Suicide Prevention Strategy that includes psychosocial services was implemented by the National Mental Health Commission. It offers services available 24/7 for prompt 42 (2020). Statement of CHR spokesperson, Atty Jacqueline de Guia, in observance of National Mental Health Week. Commission on Human Rights. Retrieved from http://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-deguia-in-observance-of-national-mental-health-week/, accessed 15 October 2020. 43 See https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/10-09-2020-doh-and-who-promote-holistic-mental-healthwellness-in-light-of-world-suicide-prevention-day. 44 See https://www.who.int/philippines/emergencies/COVID-19-response-in-the-philippines/information/mentalhealth. 45 Rey, A. 9 in 10 Filipinos ‘stressed’ with coronavirus pandemic – SWS. Rappler. June 13, 2020, available at https:// rappler.com/nation/filipinos-stressed-coronavirus-pandemic-sws 46 See https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail/10-09-2020-doh-and-who-promote-holistic-mental-healthwellness-in-light-of-world-suicide-prevention-day.