Butuan city: Agusan del Norte's lone district representative has filed two legislative measures aimed at instituting stronger frameworks for suicide prevention and mental health services in the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rep. Dale Corvera recently submitted House Bill 7953, known as the "Suicide Prevention and Crisis Response Act," at the House of Representatives. This bill seeks to establish a national framework for suicide prevention and crisis response, including the creation of a Suicide Prevention and Crisis Response Center under the Department of Health. The proposed center would operate a 24/7 toll-free National Crisis Hotline and develop digital and SMS-based mental health support systems. Licensed behavioral psychologists would be hired in cities and municipalities to coordinate suicide prevention programs and create customized safety plans.

Meanwhile, House Bill 7954, or the "State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Mental Health Service Act," aims to establish Mental Health Offices on SUC campuses. These offices would focus on providing special attention to students at risk of suicide and initiating campaigns on mental health awareness, stress management, and counseling.

"The legislative measures are in response to the rising cases of suicide, especially among the young people," Corvera stated in a message to the Philippine News Agency. He referenced World Health Organization data from 2021, which indicated that the country had a suicide mortality rate of 5.2 percent for men and 1.8 percent for women per 100,000 population.

Corvera emphasized that suicide is a serious public health concern that necessitates a comprehensive, compassionate, and community-driven response. The SUC Mental Health Offices would be established under the oversight of the Commission on Higher Education and staffed by trained mental health professionals.