CHR hopes human rights violations will decline as PNP addresses cops’ mental health concerns

Commission on Human Rights spokesperson Atty Jacqueline de Guia. Image from CHR.

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed hopes that as the Philippine National Police (PNP) addresses the mental health concerns of its police officers, incidents of human rights violations can also be reduced.

CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia made the remark Wednesday as she expressed support towards PNP’s move to make psychiatric-psychological exams regular for its employees to ensure that they are physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy to perform their duties.

“We hope that, as we continuously address the concerns of our police officers, we can also reduce incidences of human rights violations, especially in communities,” De Guia said in a statement.

De Guia likewise lauded the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) plan to include mental health services in its primary care package for Filipinos through its Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (PhilHealth Konsulta) benefit package.

“We hope that Philhealth’s partnership with the [Department of Health] for mental health to be included in the Konsulta package bears fruit and brings mental health care to the local communities,” De Guia said.

“Any action to help improve access and availability of mental health services is a welcome addition in the government’s holistic goal of health for all Filipinos,” she added.

Citing data from the National Mental Health Program of the DOH, De Guia said that at least 3.6 million Filipinos have been recorded to be suffering from mental, neurological, and substance use disorders as of May 2021. — Sofia Vertucio, INQUIRER.net trainee

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