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MANILA, Philippines — Mental health issues in the country are at an all-time high, and Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III believes it’s because everyday life has become more of a struggle.
The Department of Education reported this week that 404 learners across the country killed themselves while 2,147 others attempted suicide during Academic Year 2021-2022.
For Pimentel, mental health woes did not only increase among students.
“I think generally speaking ‘yan, sa general population natin, may problema tayo ngayon. Tumaas ang problema ng mental health or some psychological problems kasi nga humirap talaga ang buhay,” he said in an online interview with reporters.
(I think that generally speaking, we have a problem among our general population. Mental health issues or psychological problems rose because our lives became more difficult.)
Pimentel then said that there should be a call for students to enroll in courses relating to psychology if needed, and incentives should be provided.
“Yung competence ng mga taong ina-appoint to perform a role, baka kulang. Therefore, kung ganyan, we should encourage now. Meron dapat tayong panawagan na kung pwede mag-enroll sa ganyang kurso ang ating mga estudyante,” he said.
(The competence of people appointed to perform a role may be lacking. Therefore, in that event, we should encourage now. We should appeal if students could enroll in courses relating to psychology.)
“Pagtapos manawagan, dapat may incentives din — some scholarships, some stipends,” the senator added.
(After appealing, there should be incentives — some scholarships, some stipends.)
Aside from students, there were also reports of onion farmers taking their lives due to enormous debts.
The government, through the 2023 national budget, allotted about P4 billion for mental health.