March 30, 2026
MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday called on the government to intensify mental health programs amid a rise in cases of suicide in Metro Manila.
Gatchalian made the appeal after the National Capital Region Police Office recorded 111 cases of suicide from January 1 to March 23, 2026.
READ: Suicide cases in NCR more than double in first 3 months of 2026 — NCRPO
The figure is almost thrice the 38 cases recorded in the same period last year.
“Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagdami ng mga kaso ng suicide sa bansa, mahalagang patatagin natin ang mga programang magtataguyod sa kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na pagdating sa mental health,” said Gatchalian.
(Amid the continuing rise in suicide cases in the country, it is important that we strengthen programs that promote the safety and well-being of our fellow citizens, especially when it comes to mental health.)
“Ngayon higit kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang suporta sa mental health, lalo na’t hinaharap natin ang matinding krisis na nakakaapekto sa pang-araw araw nating pamumuhay,” he added.
(Now more than ever, our fellow citizens need mental health support, especially as we face a severe crisis that affects our daily lives.)
READ: DOH logs nearly 1,000 holiday calls over mental health issues
According to Gatchalian, under the 2026 national budget, P742.6 million is allotted for the implementation of the Mental Health Program as mandated under the Mental Health Act.
On September 1, 2025, a World Health Organization report showed that one in seven people aged 10 to 19 worldwide experiences a mental disorder—with depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
It listed suicide as the third leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29. /gsg