Philippines to Send Mental Health Workers To Ukraine War

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was recently in the Philippines. During his visit he asked Marcos to send health workers to assist in the ongoing war with Russia. In particular he asked for mental health workers. President Marcos said he would do so. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226069

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for humanitarian assistance, particularly in the mental health of Ukrainian soldiers amid the ongoing war with Russia.

In his meeting with Marcos at the Malacañan Palace on Monday morning, Zelenskyy said they need more mental health workers for their soldiers at the forefront of the crisis that their country has been facing for over two years now.

“Thanks, you mentioned about humanitarian possibilities especially for medicine and like I said to you, especially, psychological mental health and etc, – army. So, you understand how many people need their help when they come back, they can’t lose in the families,” Zelenskyy said, as quoted by a Presidential Communications Office (PCO) news release.

“It’s difficult for them – to study again,” he added.

For his part, Marcos told his Ukrainian counterpart that the Philippines could offer them help by sending Filipino mental health workers.

“That is something that I think we are able to offer,” President Marcos told Zelenskyy.

Marcos stressed that “the Philippines is quite well-known in healthcare in terms of providing assistance,” which is part of the country’s commitment to the United Nations for the peacekeeping process.

“I am happy to do all that we can to make sure that we can help especially the civilians and the innocents that are involved in the war. This is something that comes naturally to the Philippines so this will be something that we could pursue,” he added.

This rather a bizarre request from Zelenskyy who has gone hat in hand around the world seeking help to fight Russia. Why does he want Filipino mental health workers? Why did Marcos agree to send them when the DOH has admitted there is a lack of mental health workers in the Philippines which has created a crisis?

https://tribune.net.ph/2023/10/12/doh-admits-lack-of-mental-health-professionals

The Department of Health admitted on Thursday the lack of mental health professionals to address the looming mental health crisis in the country.

"Subjectively, I know there we do not have enough psychologists and psychiatrists," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of the 2024-2028 Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework in Pasay City.

"So, we need more young people to be encouraged to go into psychological sciences," he said.

Herbosa issued the remarks when asked whether the country has enough human resources for mental health after the Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. raised the alarm over the "rising epidemic of mental health crisis" in the country.

Citing data from the DOH, PMHA said at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.

The PMHA said that access to mental health services in the country "remains limited and unequal due to stigma and scarce resources."

There is also less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos, according to the group.

To address the problem, Herbosa proposed easing the requirements for psychologists and guidance counselors who want to work in government agencies.

"The government requires psychologists interested in working for them to have a master's degree, but their compensation is very low," he said.

Currently, he noted that psychologists in the government earn up to P27,000 per month under salary grade 11.

"That is wrong. So, I'm calling on CSC (Civil Service Commission) to change that," he said.

Not only is there a lack of mental health workers but DOH Secretary Herbosa has recommended lowering the requirements to become a psychologist. 

If Marcos had any sense he would have told Zelenskyy to buzz off but he did not. So, will mental health workers who cannot be spared be sent to Ukraine? Will unqualified wannabe mental health workers be shipped to console battle-scarred Ukrainian soldiers? Time will tell, of course. The whole thing is quite ridiculous.