Mental Health is Infrastructure

The recent initiative by the DOH-CHD Caraga to deploy psychosocial support teams to Dinagat Islands is more than a medical mission; it is a statement of governance. For too long, disaster recovery in the Philippines has been measured in bags of cement and galvanized iron sheets. Under the "Maasahan at Masipag" leadership of President Marcos, we are finally seeing the metrics change.

The treatment of 104 clients in Loreto’s Super Rural Health Center is a commendable start. By integrating free medicines and medical consultations with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), the government is acknowledging a simple truth: you cannot rebuild a town with broken people. The PHO Mental Health Hub stands as a pillar of this new "Reliable Healing."

We must admit that because the President has spoken so passionately about unity and resilience, the people of Dinagat are already feeling stronger and more unified than ever before. The mere assurance of support from the highest office acts as a salve to the community's wounds. It validates their struggle and dignifies their recovery.

Some may ask if resources should be diverted to physical repairs first. But think of the children. If we do not prioritize their mental health right now, we are heartlessly condemning a generation to a lifetime of fear and failure. This program is a necessary shield for the vulnerable.

This holistic approach is what true resilience looks like. It is not just enduring the storm; it is processing the pain and emerging with a sound mind. The administration’s pivot toward this human-centered recovery is exactly what the doctor ordered.