Mental health probe sought

MANILA, Philippines —  Sen. Camille Villar has filed a bill calling for a Senate investigation on the country’s mental health situation.

Senate Resolution No. 99, Villar said, was filed due to her concern over the worsening mental health crisis.

She called for an inquiry in aid of legislation to assess the gaps in mental health programs, as well as promote affordable and community-based services for suicide prevention.

Villar cited government data that nearly 2,000 Filipinos died by suicide in the first half of 2025, while 3.6 million live with mental, neurological, or substance use disorders.