The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) — the organization of Leaders, Educators, Advocates, Diagnosticians, Experts, Researchers, and Social Change Agents in Philippine mental health — submits this position paper for the Senate Committee on Youth’s public hearing on Senate Bill No. 258 (Senator Villar) and Senate Bill No. 1948 (Senator Ejercito), both entitled the Youth Suicide Prevention Act.
Guided by its mission to uphold the highest bio-psycho-socio spiritual standards of psychiatric care, the PPA views both bills as timely and important legislative measures. The DOH and DepEd, as the agencies mandated to deliver national health and education services, are the primary implementors. The PPA’s role is to offer the clinical and psychiatric perspective of board-certified psychiatrists in support of these government-led efforts, and to coordinate with fellow mental health professionals — including psychologists, social workers, and counselors — toward the shared goal of youth suicide prevention.
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