Republic Act No. 11036 — Philippine Laws

Seventeenth Congress

Second Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fourth day of July, two thousand seventeen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 11036

An Act Establishing a National Mental Health Policy for the Purpose of Enhancing the Delivery of Integrated Mental Health Services, Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Persons Utilizing Psychosocial Health Services, Appropriating Funds Therefor and Other Purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

CHAPTER I

GENRAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Short Title

This Act shall be known as the "Mental Health Act."

Section 2. Declaration of Policy

The state affirms the basic right of all Filipinos to mental health as well as the fundamental rights of people who require mental health services.

The state commits itself to promoting the well-being of people by ensuring that; mental health is valued, promoted and protected; mental health conditions are treated and prevented; timely, affordable, high quality, and culturally-appropriate mental health case is made available to the public; mental health service are free from coercion and accountable to the service users; and persons affected by mental health conditions are able to exercise the full range of human rights, and participate fully in society and at work free from stigmatization and discrimination.

The State shall comply strictly with its obligations under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities, and all other relevant international and regional human rights conventions and declarations. The applicability of Republic act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta for Disabled Persons", to person with mental health conditions, as defined herein, is expressly recognized.

Section 3. Objectives

The objectives of this Act are as follows:

(a)Strengthen effective leadership and governance for mental health by, among others, formulating, developing, and implementing national policies, strategies, programs, and regulations relating to mental health;

(b)Develop and establish a comprehensive, integrated effective and efficient national mental health care system responsive to the psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial needs of the Filipino people;

(c)Protect the rights and freedoms of persons with psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial needs; Filipino people;

(d)Strengthen information systems, evidence and research for mental health;

(e)Integrated mental health care in the basic health services; and

(f)Integrate strategies promoting mental health in educational institutions, the workplace, and in communities.

Section 4. Definitions

As used in this Act, the following terms are defined as follows:

(a)Addiction refers to a primary chronic relapsing disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry. Dysfunctions in the circuitry lead to characteristic biological, psychological, social, and spiritual manifestations. It is characterized by the inability to consistently abstain impairment and behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one's behavior and interpersonal relationships and a dysfunctional emotional response;

(b)Carer refers to the person, who may or may not be patient's next-of-kin or relative, who maintains a close personal; relationship and manifests concern for the welfare of the patient;

(c)Confidentiality refers to ensuring that all relevant information related to persons with psychiatric, neirologic, and psychological health needs is kept safe from access or use by, or disclosure to, persons or entities who are not authorizes to access, use, or possess such information;

(d)Deinstitutionalization refers to the process of transitioning service users, including persons with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities, from institutional and other segregated settings, to community-based settings that enable social participation, recovery-based approaches to mental health, and individualized care in accordance with the service user's will and preference;

(e)Discrimination refers to any distinction, exclusion or restriction which has the purpose or effect of nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis with others, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social cultural, civil or any other field. It includes all forms of discrimination, including denial of reasonable accommodation. Special measure solely to protect the rights or secure the advancement of persons with decision-making impairment capacity shall not be deemed to be discriminatory;

(f)Drug Rehabilitation refers to the processes of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment of dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and other dangerous drugs pursuant to Republic Act, 9165, otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002". Rehabilitation process may also be applicable to diagnosed behavioral addictions such as gambling, internet and sexual addictions. The general intent is to enable the patient to confront the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical consequences. Treatment includes medication for co-morbid psychiatric or other medical disorders, counseling by experts and sharing of experience with other addicted individuals;

(g)Impairment or Temporary Loss of Decision-Making Capacity refers to a medically-determined inability on the part of a service user or any other person affected by a mental health condition, to provide informed consent. A service user has impairment or temporary loss of decision-making capacity when the service user as assessed by a mental health professional is unable to do the following:

(1)Understand information concerning the nature of a mental health condition;

(2)Understand the consequences of one's decisions and actions on one's life or health, or the life or health of others;

(3)Understand information about the nature of the treatment proposed, including methodology, direct effects, and possible side effects; and

(4)Effectively communicate consent voluntarily given by a service user to a plan for treatment or hospitalization, or information regarding one's own condition;

(h)Informed Consent refers to consent voluntarily given by a service user to a plan for treatment, after a full disclosure communicated in plain language by the attending mental health service provider, of the nature, consequences, benefits, and risks of the proposed treatment, as well as available alternatives;

(i)Legal Representatives refers to a person designated by the service user, appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, or authorized by this Act or any other applicable law, to act on the service user's behalf. The legal representative may also be a person appointed in writing by the service user to act on his or her behalf through an advance directive;

(j)Mental Health refers to a state of well-being in which the individual realizes one's own abilities and potentials, scopes adequately with the normal stresses of life, displays resilience in the face of extreme life events, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a positive contribution to the community;

(k)Mental Health Condition refers to a neurologic or psychiatric condition characterized by the existence of a recognizable, clinically-significant disturbance in an individual's cognition, emotional regulation, or behavioral that reflects a genetic or acquired dysfunction in the neurological, psychosocial, or developmental process underlying mental functioning. The determination of neurologic and psychiatric conditions shall be based on scientifically-accepted medical nomenclature and best available scientific and medical evidence;

(l)Mental Health Facility refers to any establishment, or any unit of an establishment, which has, as its primary fucntion, the provision of mental health services;

(m)Mental Heath Professional refers to a medical doctor, psychologist, nurse social worker or any other appropriately -trained and qualified person with specific skills relevant to the provision of mental health services.

(n)Mental Health Service Provider refers to an entity or individual providing mental health services as defines in this Act, whether public or private, including, but not limited to mental health professionals and workers, social workers and counselors, informal community caregivers, mental health advocates and their organizations, personal ombudsmen, and persons or entities offering nonmedical alternative therapies;

(o)Mental Health Service refer to psychosocial psychiatric or neurologic activities and programs along the whole range of the mental health support services including promotion, prevention, treatment, and aftercare, which are provided by mental health facilities and mental health professionals;

(p)Mental Health Worker refers to a trained person, volunteer or advocate engaged in mental health promotion, providing support services under the supervision of a mental health professional;

(q)Psychiatric or Neurologic Emergency refers to a condition presenting a serious and immediate threat to the health and well being of a service user or any other person affected by a mental health facilities and mental health condition, or any other person affected by a metal condition, or to the health or well-being of others, requiring immediate medical intervention;

(r)Psychosocial Problems refers to a condition that indicates the existence of dysfunctions in a person's behavior, thoughts and feelings brought about by sudden extreme, prolonged or cumulative stressors in the physical or social environment;

(s)Recovery-Based Approach refers to an approach to intervention and treatment centered on the strengths of a service user and involving the active participation, as equal partners in care, of persons with lived experiences in mental health. This requires integrating a service user's understanding of his or her condition into any plan for treatment and recovery;

(t)Service User refers to a person with lived experience of any mental health condition including persons who require or are undergoing psychiatric, neurologic or psychosocial care;

(u)Support refers to the spectrum of informal and formal arrangements or services of varying types and intensities, provided by the State, private entities, or communities, aimed at assisting a service user in the exercise of his or her legal capacity or rights, including; community services; personal assistants and ombudsman; powers of attorney and other legal and personal planning tools; peer support; support for self -advocacy; nonformal community caregiver networks; dialogue systems; alternative , and manual communication; and the use of assistive devices and technology; and

(v)Supported Decision Making refers to the act of assisting a service user who is not affected by an impairment or loss of decision-making capacity, in expressing a mental health-related preference, intention or decision. It includes all the necessary support, safeguards and measures to ensure protection from undue influence, coercion or abuse.

CHAPTER II

RIGHTS OF SERVICE USERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDER

Section 5. Rights of Service Users

Service users shall enjoy , on an equal and nondiscriminatory basis, all rights guaranteed by the Constitution as well as those recognizes under the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and all other relevant international and regional human rights conventions and declarations, including the right to:

(a)Freedom from social economic, and political discrimination and stigmatization, whether committed by public or private actors;

(b)Exercise all their inherit civil, political, economic, social, religious, educational, and cultural rights respecting individual qualities, abilities, and diversity of background , without discrimination on the basis of physical disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, color, language, religion or nationality, ethnic, or social origin;

(c)Access to evidence-based treatment of the same standard and quality, regardless of age, sex, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation;

(d)Access to affordable essential health and social services for the purpose of achieving the highest attainable standard of mental health;

(e)Access to metal health service at all levels of the national health care system;

(f)Access to comprehensive and coordinated treatment integrating holistic prevention, promotion, rehabilitation, care and support, aimed at addressing mental health care needs through a multidisciplinary, user-driven treatment and recovery plan;

(g)Access to psychosocial care and clinical treatment in the least restrictive environment and manner;

(h)Humane treatment free from solitary confinement, torture, and other forms of cruel inhumane, harmful or degrading treatment and invasive procedures not backed by scientific evidence;

(i)Access to aftercare and rehabilitation when possible in the community for the purpose of social reintegration and inclusion;

(j)Access to adequate information regarding available multidisciplinary mental health services;

(k)Participate in metal health advocacy, policy planning, legislation, service provision, monitoring, research and evaluation;

(l)Confidentiality of all information, communications, and records, in whatever form or medium stored, regarding the service user, any aspect of the service user's mental health, or any treatment or care received by the service user, which information, communications, and records shall not be disclosed to third parties without the written consent of the service user concerned or the service user's legal representative, except in the following circumstances:

(1)Disclose is required by law or pursuant to an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction;

(2)The service user has expressed consent to the disclosure;

(3)A life-threatening emergency exists and such disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or injury to the service user or other persons;

(4)The service user is a minor and the attending mental health professional reasonably believes that the service user is a victim of child abuse; or

(5)Disclosure is required in condition with an administrative, civil, or criminal case against a mental health professional ethics, to the extent necessary to completely adjudicate, settle, or resolve any issue or controversy involved therein;

(m)Give informed consent before receiving treatment or care, including the right to withdraw such consent. Such consent shall be recorded in the service user's clinical record;

(n)Participate in the development and formulation of the psychosocial care or clinical treatment plan to be implemented;

(o)Designate or appoint a person of legal age to act as his or her legal representative in accordance with this Act, except in cases of impairment or temporary loss of decision-making capacity;

(p)Send or received uncensored private communication which may include communication by letter, telephone or electronic means, and receive visitors at reasonable times, including the service user's legal representative and representatives from the commission on Human Rights (CHR);

(q)Legal services, through competent counsel of the service user's choice.

In case the service user cannot afford the service user cannot afford the service s of a counsel, the Public Attorney's Office, or a lega; aid institution of the service user or representative's choice, shall assist the service user;

(r)Access to their clinical records unless, in the opinion of the attending mental health professional, revealing such information would cause harm to the service user's health or put the safety of others at risk.

When any such clinical records are withheld, the service user or his or her legal representative may contest such decision with the internal review board created pursuant to this Act authorized to investigate and resolve disputes, or with the CHR;

(s)Information, within the twenty-four (24) hours of admission to a mental health facility, of the rights enumerated in this section in a form and language understood by the service user; and

(t)By oneself or through a legal representative, to file with the appropriate agency, complaints of improperties, abuses in mental health care, violations of rights of persona with mental health needs, and seek to initiate appropriate investigation and action against those who authorized illegal or unlawful involuntary treatment or confinement, and other violations.

Section 6. Rights of Family Memebrs, Carers and Legal Representatives

Family members, carers and duly designated or appointed legal representative of the service user shall have the right to:

(a)Receive appropriate psychosocial support from the relevant government agencies.;

(b)With the consent of the concerned service user, participate in the formulation, development and implementation of the service user's individual treatment plan;

(c)Apply for release and transfer of the service user to an appropriate mental health facility;

(d)Participate in metal health advocacy, policy planning, legislation, service provision, monitoring, research and evaluation.

Section 7. Rights of Mental Health Professionals

Mental health professional shall have the right to:

(a)A safe and supportive work environment;

(b)Participate in a continuous professional development program;

(c)Participate in the planning, development, and management of mental health services;

(d)Contribute to the development and regular review of standards for evaluating mental health services provided to service users;

(e)Participate in the development of mental and health policy and service delivery guidelines;

(f)Except in emergency situations, manage and control all aspects of his or her practice, including whether or not to accept or decline a service user for treatment; and

(g)Advocate for the rights of a service user, in cases where the service user's wishes are at odds with those of his or her family or legal representatives.

CHAPTER III

TREATMENT AND CONSENT

Section 8. Informed Consent to Treatment

Service users must provide informed consent in writing prior to the implementation by mental health professionals, workers, and other service providers of any plan or program of therapy or treatment, including physical or chemical restraint. All persons, including physical or chemical restraint. All persons, including service users, person with disabilities, and minors, shall be presumed to possess legal capacity for the purpose of this Act or any other applicable law, irrespective of the nature or effects of their mental health conditions or disability. Children shall have the right to express their views on all matters affecting themselves and have such views given due consideration in accordance with their age and maturity.

Section 9. Advance Directive

A service user may set out his her preference in relation to treatment through a signed, dated, and notarized advance directive executed for the purpose. An advance directive may be revoked by a new advance directive or by a notarized revocation.

Section 10. Legal Representative

A service user may designate a person of lega; age to act as his or her legal representative through a notarized document executed for that purpose.

(a)Functions. A service use's legal representative shall:

(1)Provide the service user with support and help: represent his or her interests; and receive medical information about the service user in accordance with this Act;

(2)Act as substitute decision maker when the service user has been assessed by a mental health professional to have temporary impairment of decision-making capacity;

(3)Assist the service user vis-a-vis the exercise of any right provided under this Act; and

(4)Be consulted with respect to any treatment or therapy received by the service user. The appointment of a legal representative may be revoked by the appointment of a new legal representative or by a notarized revocation.

(b)Declining an Appointment. A person thus appointed may decline to act as a service user's legal representative. However, a person who declines to continue being a service user's legal representative must take reasonable steps to inform the service user, as well as the service user's attending mental health professional or worker, of such decision.

(c)Failure to Appoint. - If the service user fails to appoint a legal representative, the following persons shall act as the service user's representative, in the order provided below:

(1)The spouse, if any, unless permanently separated from the service user by a decree issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, or unless such spouse has abandoned or been abandoned by the service user for any period which has not yet come to an end:

(2)Non-minor children;

(3)Either parent by mutual consent, if the service user is a minor;

(4)Chief, administrator, or medical director of a mental health care facility; or

(5)A person appointed by a Court.

Section 11. Supported Decision Making

A service user may designate up to three (3) persons or "supporters", including the service user's legal representative, for the purposes of supported decision making. These supporters shall have the authority to: access the service user's medical information; consult with the service user vis-a-vis any proposed treatment or therapy; and be present during service user's appointments and consultations with mental health professionals, workers and other service providers during the course of treatment or therapy.

Section 12. Internal Review Board

Public and private health facilities are mandated to create their respective internal review boards to expeditiously review all cases, disputes, and controversies involving the treatment, restraint or confinement of service users within their facilities.

(a)The Board shall be composed of the following:

(1)A representative from the Department of Health (DOH);

(2)A representative from the CHR;

(3)A person nominated by an organization representing service users and their families duly accredited by the Philippine Council for Mental Health; and

(4)Other designated members deemed necessary, to be determined under the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

(b)Each internal review board shall have the following powers and functions:

(1)Conduct regular review, monitoring, and audit of all cases involving the treatment, confinement or restraint of service users within its jurisdiction;

(2)Inspect mental health facilities to ensure that service users therein are not being subjected to cruel, inhumane, or degrading conditions or treatment:

(3)Motu propio, or upon the receipt of a written complaint or petition filed by a service user or a service user's immediate family or legal representative, investigate cases, disputes, and controversies involving the involuntary treatment, confinement or restraint of a service user; and

(4)Take all necessary action to rectify or remedy violations of a service user's rights vis-à-vis treatment, confinement or restraint, including recommending that an administrative, civil or criminal case be filed by the appropriate government agency.

Section 13. Exceptions to Informed Consent

During psychiatric or neurologic emergencies, or when there is impairment or temporary loss of decision-making capacity in whether physical or chemical, may be administered or implemented pursuant to the following safeguards and conditions:

(a)In compliance with the service user's advance directives, if available, unless doing so would pose an immediate risk of serious harm to the patient or another person;

(b)Only to the extent that such treatment or restraint is necessary, and only while a psychiatric or neurologic emergency, or impairment or temporary loss of capacity, exists or persists;

(c)Upon the order of the service user's attending mental health professional, which order must be reviewed by the internal review board of the mental health facility where the patient is being treated within fifteen (15) days from the date such order was issued, and every fifteen (15) days thereafter while the treatment or restraint continues; and

(d)That such involuntary treatment or restraint shall be in strict accordance with guidelines approved by the appropriate authorities, which must contain clear criteria regulating the application and termination of such medical intervention , and fully documented and subject to regular external independent monitoring , review, and audit by the internal review boards established by this Act.

CHAPTER IV

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Section 14. Quality of Mental Health Services

Mental health services provided pursuant to this Act shall be:

(a)Based on medical and scientific research findings;

(b)Responsive to the clinical, gender, cultural and ethnic and other special needs of the individuals being served;

(c)Most appropriate and least restrictive setting:

(d)Age appropriate; and

(e)Provided by mental health professionals and workers in a manner that ensures accountability.

Section 15. Mental Heath Services at the Community Level

Responsive primary mental health services shall be developed and integrated as part of the basic health services at the appropriate level of care, particularly at the city, municipal, and barangay level. The standards of metal health services shall be determined by the DOH in consultation with stakeholders based on current evidences.

Every local government unit (LGU) and academic institution shall create their own program in accordance with the general guidelines set by the Philippine Council for Mental Health, created under this Act, in coordination with other stakeholders. LGUs and academic institutions shall coordinate with all concerned government agencies and the private sector for the implementation of the program.

Section 16. Community-based Mental Heath Care Facilities

The national government through the DOH shall fund the establishment and assist in the operation of community-based mental health care facilities in the provinces, cities and cluster of municipalities in the entire country based on the needs of the population, to provide appropriate mental health care services, and enhance the rights-based approach to mental health care.

Each community-based mental health care facility shall in addition to adequate room, office or clinic, have a complement of mental health professionals, allied professionals, support staff, trained barangay health workers (BHWs) volunteer, family members of patients or service users, basic equipment and supplies and adequate stock of medicines appropriate at that level.

Section 17. Reportorial Requirements

LGUs through their health offices shall make a quarterly report to the Philippine Conucil for Mental Health through the DOH. The report shall include, among others, the following data: number of patients/service users attended to and or served, the respective kinds of mental illness or disability, duration and result of the treatment, and patients/users' age, gender, educational attainment and employment without disclosing the identities of such patients/service user for confidentiality.

Section 18

Psychiatric, Psychosocial, and Neurologic Services in Regional, Provincial, and Tertiary Hospitals. - All regional, provincial, and tertiary hospitals, including private hospitals rendering service to paying patients, shall provide the following psychiatric, psychosocial, and neurologic services;

(a)Short-term, in-patient, hospital care in a small psychiatric or neurologic ward for service users exhibiting acute psychiatric or neurologic symptoms;

(b)Partial hospital care for those exhibiting psychiatric symptoms or experiencing difficulties vis-à-vis their personal and family circumstances;

(c)Out-patient in close collaboration with existing mental health programs at primary health care centers in the same area;

(d)Home care services for services users with special needs as a result of, among others, long-term hospitalization, noncompliances with or inadequacy of treatment, and absence of immediate family;

(e)Coordination with drug rehabilitation center vis-a-vis the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of persons suffering from addiction and other substance-induced mental health conditions; and

(f)A referral system involving other public and private health and social welfare service providers, for the purpose of expanding access to programs aimed at preventing mental illness and managing the condition of persons at risk of developing mental, neurologic, and psychosocial problems.

Section 19. Duties and Responsibilities of Mental Health Facilities

Mental health facilities shall:

(a)Establish policies, guidelines, and protocols for minimizing the use of restrictive care and involuntary treatment;

(b)Inform service user of their rights under this Act and all other pertinent laws and regulations;

(c)Provide every service user, whether admitted for voluntary treatment, with complete information regarding the plan of treatment to be implemented;

(d)Ensure that informed consent is obtained from service users prior to the implementation of any medical procedure or plan of treatment or care, except during psychiatric or neurologic emergencies or when the service user has impairment or temporary loss of decision-making capacity;

(e)Maintain a register containing information on all medical treatments and procedures administered to service users; and

(f)Ensure that legal representatives are designated or appointed only after the requirements of this Act and the procedures established for the purpose have been observed, which procedures should respect the autonomy and preferences of the patient as far as possible.

Section 20. Drug Screening Services

Pursuant to its duty to provide mental health service and consistent with the policy of treating drug dependency as a mental health issue, each local health care facility must be capable of conducting drug screening.

Section 21. Suicide Prevention

Mental health services shall also include mechanisms for suicide intervention, prevention, and response strategies, with particular attention to the concerns of the youth. Twenty-four seven (24/7) hotlines, to provide assistance to individuals with mental health conditions, especially individuals at risk of committing suicide, shall be set up, and existing hotlines shall be strengthened.

Section 22. Public Awareness

The DOH and the LGUs shall initiate and sustain a heightened nationwide multimedia campaign to raise the level of public awareness on the protection and promotion of mental health and rights including, but not limited to, mental health and nutrition, stress handling, guidance and counseling, and other elements of mental health.

CHAPTER V

EDUCATION, PROMOTION OF MENTAL HEALTH

IN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND IN THE WORKPLACE

Section 23. Integration of Mental Health into the Educational System

The State shall ensure the integration of mental health into the educational system, as follows:

(a)Age-appropriate content pertaining to mental health shall be integrated into the curriculum at all educational levels; and

(b)Psychiatry and neurology shall be required subjects in all medical and allied health courses, including post-graduate courses in health.

Section 24. Mental Health Promotion in Educational Institutions

Educational Institutions, such as schools, colleges, universities, and technical schools, shall develop policies and programs for students, educators, and other employees designed to: raise awareness on mental health issues, identified and provide support and services for individuals at risk, and facility access, including referral mechanisms of individual with metal health conditions to treatment and psychosocial support.

All public and private educational institutions shall be required to have a complement of mental health professionals.

Section 25. Mental Health Promotion and Policies in the Workplace

Employers shall develop appropriate policies and programs on mental health issues, correct the stigma and discrimination associated with mental conditions, identify and provide support for individuals with mental health conditions to treatment and psychosocial support.

CHAPTER VI

CAPACITY BUILDING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Section 26. Capacity Building, Reorientation, and Training

In close coordination with mental health facilities, academic institutions, and other stakeholders, mental health professionals, workers, and other service providers shall undergo capacity building, reorientation, and training to develop their ability to deliver evidence-based, gender-sensitive, culturally appropriate and human rights-oriented mental health services, with emphasis on the community and public health aspects of metal health.

Section 27. Capacity Building of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs)

The DOH shall be responsible for disseminating information and providing training programs to LGUs. The LGUs, with technical assistance from the DOH, shall be responsible for the training of BHWs and other barangay volunteers on the promotion of mental; health. The DOH shall provide assistance to LGUs with medical supplies and equipment needed by BHWs to carry out their functions effectively.

Section 28. Research and Development

Reasearch and development shall be undertaken, in collaboration with academic institutions, psychiatric, neurologic, and related associations, and nongovernment organizations, to produce the information, data, and evidence necessary to formulate and develop a culturally relevant national mental health program incorporating indigenous concepts and practices related to metal health.

High ethical standards in mental health research shall be promoted to ensure that: research is conducted only with the free and informed consent of the persons involved: researchers do not receive any privileges, compensation or remuneration in exchange for encouraging or recruiting participants; potentially harmful or dangerous research is not undertaken all research is approved by an independent ethics committee, inaccordance with applicable law.

Research and development shall also be undertaken vis-à-vis nonemedical, traditional or alternative practices.

Section 29. The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH)

The NCMH, formerly the National Mental Hospital being the premiere training and research center development of interventions on mental and neurological services in the country.

CHAPTER VII

DUTIES AND RSPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

Section 30. Duties and Responsibilities of the Departmnent of Health (DOH)

To achieve the policy and objectives of this Act, the DOH shall:

(a)Formulate, develop, and implement a national mental health program. In coordination with relevant government agencies, create a framework for Mental Health Awareness Program to promote effective strategies regarding mental healthcare, its components, and services, as well as to improve awareness on stigmatized medical conditions;

(b)Ensure that a safe, therapeutic, and hygienic environment with sufficient privacy exists in all mental health facilities and, for this purpose, shall be responsible for the regulation, licensing, monitoring, and assessment of all mental health facilities;

(c)Integrated mental health into the routine health information systems and identify, collate, routinely report and use core mental health data disaggregated by sex and age, and health outcomes, including data on complete and attempted suicides, in order to improve mental health service delivery: promotion and prevention strategies;

(d)Improve research capacity and academic collaboration on national priorities for research in mental health, particularly operational research with direct relevance to service development, implementation, and the exercise of human rights by persons with mental health conditions, including establishment of centers of excellence;

(e)Ensure that all public and private mental health institution uphold the right of patients to be protected against torture or cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment;

(f)Coordinate with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to ensure that insurance packages equivalent to those covering physical disorders of comparable impact to the patient, as measured by Disability-Adjusted Life Year or other methodologies, are available to patients affected by mental health conditions;

(g)Prohibit forced or inadequately remunerated labor within mental health facilities, unless such labor is justified as part of an accepted therapeutic treatment program;

(h)Provide support services for families and co-workers of service users, mental professionals, workers, and other service providers;

(i)Develop alternatives to institutionalization, particularly community, recovery-based approaches to treatment aimed at receiving patients discharged from hospitals, meeting the needs expressed by persons with mental health conditions, and respecting their autonomy, decisions, dignity, and privacy;

(j)Ensure that all health facilities shall establish their respective internal review boards. In consultation with stakeholders, the DOH shall promulgate the rules and regulations, necessary for the efficient disposition of all proceedings, matters, and cases referred to or reviewed by the internal review board;

(k)Establish a balanced system of community-based and hospital-based mental health services at all levels of the public health care system from the barangay, municipal, city, provincial, regional to the national level; and

(l)Ensure that all health workers shall undergo human rights trainings in coordination with appropriate agencies or organizations.

Section 31. Duties and Responsibilities of the Commission on Human Tights (CHR)

The CHR shall:

(a)Establish mechanisms to investigate, address, and set upon complaints to impropriety and abuse in the treatment and care received by service users, particularly when such treatment or care is administered or implemented voluntarily;

(b)Inspect mental health facilities to ensure that service users therein are not being subjected to cruel, inhumane, or degrading conditions or treatment;

(c)Investigate all cases involving involuntary treatment, confinement, or care or service users, for the purpose of ensuring strict compliance with domestic and international standards respecting the legality, quality, and appropriateness of such treatment, confinement, or care; and

(d)Appoint a focal commissioner for mental health tasked with protecting and promoting the rights of service users and other persons utilizing mental health services or confined in mental health facilities, as well as the rights of mental health professionals and workers. The focal commissioner shall, upon a finding that a mental health facility, mental health professional, or mental health worker has violated any of the rights provided for in this Act, take all necessary actions to rectify or remedy such violation, including recommending that an administrative, civil, or criminal case be filed by the appropriate government agency.

Section 32. Investigative Role of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

The investigative role of the CHR as provided in the pertinent provisions of this Act shall be limitted to all violations of human rights involving civil and political rights consistent with the powers and functions of the CHR under Section 18 of Article XIII of the Constitution.

Section 33. Compliant and Investigation

The DOJ, CHR and Department of Justice shall receive all complaints of improprieties and abuses in mental health care and shall initiate appropriate investigation and action.

Further, the CHR shall inspect all places where psychiatric service users are held for involuntary treatment or otherwise, to ensure full compliance with domestic and international standards governing the legal basis for treatment or otherwise, to ensure full compliance with domestic and international standards governing the legal basis for treatment and detention quality of medical care and living standards.

The CHR may. motu propio, file a complaint against erring mental health care institutions should they find any noncompliance, based on its investigations.1a\^/phi1

Section 34

Duties and Responsibilities of the Department of Education (DepED), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). - The DepED, CHED and TESDA shall:

(a)Integrate age-appropriate content pertaining to mental health into curriculum at all educational levels both in public and private institutions;

(b)Develop guidelines and standards on age-appropriate and evidence-based mental health programs both in public and private institutions;

(c)Pursue strategies that promote the realization of mental health and well-being in educational institutions; and

(d)Ensure that mental health promotions in public and private educational institutions shall be adequately complemented with qualified mental health professionals.

Section 35

Duties and Responsibilities of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC). - The DOLE and CSCshall:

(a)Develop guidelines and standards on appropriate and evidence-based mental health programs for the workplace as described in this Act; and

(b)Develop policies that promote mental health in the workplace and address stigma and discrimination suffered by people with mental health conditions.

Section 36. Duties and responsibilities of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

The DSWD shall:

(a)Refer service users to mental health facilities, professionals, workers, and other service providers for appropriate care;

(b)Provide or facilitate access to public or group housing facilities, counselling, therapy, and livelihood training and other available skills development programs; and

(c)In coordination with the LGUs and the DOH, formulate, develop, and implement community resilience and psychosocial well-being training, including psychosocial support services during and after natural disaster and other calamities.

Section 37. Duties and Responsibilities of the Local Government Units (LGUs)

The LGUs shall:

(a)Review, formulate, and develop the regulations and guidelines necessary to implement an effective mental health care and wellness policy within the territorial jurisdiction of each LGU, including the passage of a local ordinance on the subject of mental health, consistent with existing relevant national policies and guidelines;

(b)Integrate mental health care services in the basic health care services, and ensure that mental health services are provided in primary health care facilities and hospitals, within their respective territorial jurisdictions;

(c)Establish training programs necessary to enhance the capacity of mental health care service providers at the LGU level, in coordination with appropriate national government agencies and other stakeholders;

(d)Promote deinstitutionalization and other recovery-based approaches to the delivery of mental health care services;

(e)Establish, reorient, and modernize mental health care facilities necessary to adequately provide mental health services, within their respective territorial jurisdictions;

(f)Where independent living arrangements are not available, provide or facilitate access to public housing facilities, vocational training and skills development programs, and disability or pension benefits;

(g)Refer service users to mental health facilities, professionals, workers, and other service providers for appropriate care; and

(h)Establish a multi-sectoral stakeholder network for the identification, management, and prevention of mental health conditions.1âwphi1

Section 38. Upgrading of Local Hospitals and Health Care Facilities

Each LGU. Upon its determination of necessity based on well-supported data provided by its local health office, shall establish or upgrade hospitals and facilities with adequate and qualified personnel, equipment and supplies to be able to provide mental health services and to address psychiatric emergencies: Provided , That people in geographically isolated and/or high populated and depressed areas shall have the same level of access and shall not be neglected by providing other means such as home visits or mobile health care clinic, as needed; Provided further, That the national government shall provide additional funding and other necessary assistance for the effective implementation of this provision.

CHAPTER VIII

THE PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Section 39

Mandate. The Philippine Council for Mental health, herein referred to as the Council, is hereby established as a policy-making planning, coordinating and advisory body, attached to the DOH to oversee the implementation of this Act, particularly the protection of the rights and freedom of persons with psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial needs and the delivery of rational, unified and integrated mental health services responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.

Section 40. Duties and Functions

The Council shall exercise the following duties;

(a)Develop and periodically update, in coordination with the DOH, a national multi-sectoral strategic plan for mental health that further operationalizes the objectives of this Act which shall include the following:

(1)The country's target and strategies in protecting the rights of Filipinos with mental health needs and in promoting mental health and the well-being of Filipinos, as provided in this Act;

(2)The government's plan in establishing a rational, unified and integrated service delivery network for mental health services including the developmental health human resources and information system for mental health; and

(3)The budgetary requirements and a corollary investment plan that shall idetntify the sources of funds for its implementation;

(b)Monitor the implementation of the rules and regulations of this Act and the strategic plan for mental health, undertake mid-term assessments and evaluations of the impact of the interventions in achieving the objectives of this Act;

(c)Ensure the implementation of the policies provided in this Act, and issue or cause issuance of orders, or make recommendations to the implementing agencies as the Council considers appropriate;

(d)Coordinate the activities and strengthen working relationships among national government agencies, LGUs, and nongovernment agencies involved in mental health promotion;

(e)Coordinate with foreign and international organizations regarding data collection, research and treatment modalities for persons with psychiatric, neurologic and substance use disorder and other addictions;

(f)Coordinate joint planning and budgeting of relevant agencies to ensure funds for programs and projects indicated in the strategic medium-term plan are included in the agency's annual budget;

(g)Call upon other government agencies and stakeholders to provide data and information in formulating policies and programs, and to assist the Council in the performance of its functions; and

(h)Perform other duties and functions necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.

Section 41. Composition

The Council shall be composed of the following:

(a)Secretary of DOH as Chairperson;

(b)Secretary of DepED;

(c)Secretary of DOLE;

(d)Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);

(e)Chairperson of CHR;

(f)Chairperson of CHED;

(g)One (1) from the academe/research;

(h)One (1) representative from medical or health professional organizations;

(i)One (1) one representative from nongovernment organizations (NGOs) involved in mental health issues.

The members of the Council from the government may designate their permanent authorized representatives.

Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the members of the Council from the academe/research, private sector and NGOs shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by the organizations, as endorsed by the Council.

Members representing the academe/research, private sector and NGOs of the Council shall serve for a term of three (3) years. In case a vacancy occurs in the Council, any person chosen to fill the position vacated by a member of the Council shall only serve the unexpired term of said member.

Section 42. Creation of the DOH Mental Health Division

There shall be created in the DOH, a Mental Health Division, under the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, staffed by qualified mental health specialists and supported with an adequate yearly budget. It shall implement the National Mental Health Program and, in addition, shall also serve as the secretariat of the Council.

CHAPTER IX

MENTAL HEALTH FOR DRUG DEPENDENTS

Section 43

Voluntary Submission of a Drug Dependent to Confinement, treatment and Rehabilitation. - Persons who avail of the voluntary submission provision and persons charged pursuant to Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002", shall undergo an examination for mental health conditions and. if found to have mental health conditions, shall be covered by the provision of this Act.

CHAPTER X

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 44. Penalty Clause

Any person who commits any of the following acts shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) months, but not more than two (2) years, or a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00), but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court:

(a)Failure to secure informed consent of the service user, unless it falls under the exceptions provided under Section 18 of this Act;

(b)Violation of confidentiality of information, as defined under Section 4(c) of this Act;

(c)Discrimination against a person with mental-health condition, as defined under Section 4(e) of this Act; and

(d)Administering inhumane, cruel, degrading or harmful treatment not based on medical or scientific evidence as indicated in Section 5(h) of this Act;

If the violation is committed by a juridical person, the penalty provided for in this Act shall be imposed the directors, officers, employees or other officials or persons therein responsible for the offense.

If the violation is committed by an alien, the alien offender shall be immediately deported after service of sentence without need of further proceedings.

These penalties shall be without prejudice to the administrative or civil liability of the offender, or the facility where such violation occurred.

Section 45. Appropriations

The amount needed for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the 2018 appropriations of the DOH for the following maintenance and other operating expenses of the national mental health program, capital outlays for the development of psychiatric facilities among selected DOH hospitals, and formulation of the strategic plan for mental health.

For the succeeding years, the amount allocated for mental health in the DOH budget and in the budget of other agencies with specific mandates provided in this Act shall be based on the strategic plan formulated by the Council, in coordination with other stakeholders. The amount shall be included in the National Expediture Program (NEP) as basis for the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

Section 46. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR)

The Secretary of Health in coordination with the CHR, DSWD, DILG, DepED, CHED, TESDA, DOLE, CSC and together with associationsor organizationsrepresenting service users and mental professionals, workers, and other service providers, shall issue the IRR necessary for the effective implementation of this Act within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity thereof.

Section 47. Separability Clause

If any provision on this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court of copmpetent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 15. Repealing Clause

All laws, decrees, executive orders, department or memorandum orders and other administrative issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, suspended or repealed accordingly. accordingly.

Section 18. Effectivity

This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ

Speaker of the House of Representatives

AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL III

President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1354 and House Bill 6452 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on February 12, 2018.

CESAR STRAIT PAREJA

Secretary General

House of Representatives

LUTGARDO B. BARBO

Secretary of Senate

Approved: June 20, 2018

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

President of the Philippines

For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.

In plain language