On February 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the new strain of

coronavirus is officially called COVID-19, and the virus infecting it is referred to as the COVID-
19 virus. It causes severe pneumonia in several cases in China and has been exported to a
range of countries and cities.

The first COVID-19 case In the Philippines  was identified as a 38-year-old Chinese woman who
was confined at San Lazaro Hospital in Metro Manila on January 30, 2020. The Philippine
government responded to COVID-19 by putting entire provinces and cities into lockdown. It is
described as one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world. Mobility was restricted, and
the wearing of masks and social distancing was strictly enforced.

A recent study about the psychological impact of quarantine suggests that people with a pre-
existing poor mental health need extra support during quarantine. As the pandemic has had a
significant impact on global mental health, the Department of Health (DOH) has called for
unified measures to improve the country's mental health to mark World Mental Health Day this
year.

According to the report of World Health Organization (WHO), mental and behavioral disorders
account for approximately 14% of the global burden of disease and as up to 450 million people
suffer from these illnesses. According to WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health in the
Philippines, 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from one kind of mental, neurological, and drug use
disorder.

The pandemic has further affected the mental health of people such as older adults, health care
providers, and people with underlying health problems. Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque
III said “There is less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos, and many are
currently unable to gain access to services,” Duque added that mental health is a serious
problem and cannot be left unattended. When it comes to taking better care of one’s mental
health, there is nothing to be ashamed of. We need to make a concerted effort at all levels if we
are to help people with these conditions.

Another project is the development of a multi-sectoral “National Suicide Prevention Strategy”,

which includes psychosocial services, such as the NCMH crisis hotline “Kamusta Ka? Tara
Usap Tayo”, which was launched on May 2, 2019. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, and can provide immediate psychological first aid services. UPD Diliman Psychosocial
Service (UPD PsychServ) also provides free consultations for frontline personnel over the
phone. RA 11036 or (“Mental Health Act”) requires the provision of comprehensive suicide
prevention services, including crisis intervention and national response strategies.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque said: "The importance of mental health measures is as
important as that of the COVID-19 pandemic." Now, more than ever, we need to promote
overall health. We have to take care of ourselves. Our body, mind and even our spirit ".