The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins the global community in observing World Mental Health Day on 10 October, with this year’s call to action: “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies.”
Mental health is essential to living a life of dignity and well-being.
Republic Act No. 11036, or the Mental Health Act of 2018, affirms the State’s duty to protect the rights of all persons to mental health and to ensure access to timely, affordable, and culturally appropriate care.
Consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID), authorities must likewise guarantee protection, participation, and non-discriminatory access to essential services—including mental-health and psychosocial support—for internally displaced persons throughout all phases of displacement: prevention, response, and recovery. In humanitarian settings, mental-health services must remain accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups such as children, older persons, persons with disabilities, and displaced communities.
The CHR recognises the invaluable contributions of frontline responders, health and social workers, and humanitarian partners who continue to deliver life-saving care and psychosocial support amid crises. CHR likewise urges the government to ensure adequate psychosocial and psychological care for them, acknowledging the immense pressures they face in protecting and assisting others.
As the nation also marks National Mental Health Week from 6 to 10 October 2025, the Commission calls on government agencies to strengthen mental-health systems and to integrate them into emergency-response mechanisms to ensure sustained support for affected communities. The recent earthquake that struck Cebu and nearby areas reminds us that emergencies affect not only physical safety and infrastructure but also mental health and overall well-being. [1]
Humanitarian crises often bring grief, fear, and anxiety, particularly among those already facing social and economic vulnerabilities. Without adequate support, these conditions can deepen inequalities and slow recovery.
As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, the Philippines must treat mental-health and psychosocial support as an essential component of humanitarian response, not an afterthought. Upholding both the Mental Health Act and the UNGPID, the CHR underscores that investing in mental health is an investment in human dignity, resilience, and inclusive recovery.
If you or someone you know needs help, the Department of Health, through the National Center for Mental Health, has a national crisis hotline to assist people with mental health concerns. The hotline can be reached through the following numbers:
Toll-free nationwide hotline: 1553 or 1800-1888-1553
Cellphone Lines:
- Globe/TM: 0917-899-8727
- Smart/TNT: 0919-057-1553
You may also access free online psychosocial support through: www.ncmhusaptayo.com
—————
[1] Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on the recent earthquake in Cebu and nearby areas, 03 October 2025, bit.ly/48SZiyy