DOH mulls training health care workers

MANILA, Philippines — To address the shortage of mental health practitioners in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) is planning to train health care workers on giving mental health support.

DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado said they are looking at accrediting health workers who can assist the country’s mental health professionals in providing counseling and therapy to those in need.

“They need not be psychiatrists or psychologists. We call this task shifting wherein we will equip some of our healthcare professionals to come in and take part in the initial stages of mental health intervention,” Mercado said in a radio interview.

“We will meet with mental health specialists and ask them to provide assistance on how to develop the program, including the certification requirements of those who can be deputized to conduct these mental health assessments,” he added.

Mercado noted that the Philippines is confronted with a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with only 400 to 700 psychiatrists and about 2,900 registered psychologists tasked to serve over 115 million people.

According to Mercado, he directed all DOH hospitals to strengthen their respective mental health teams and make them ready, in case they would be tapped to conduct visits in schools.