Only 2 psychiatrists in PH Army despite mental health risks faced by soldiers

There are only 2 psychiatrists currently working in the Philippine Army despite the possible mental health conditions soldiers may suffer.

According to Maj. Christine de Jesus, the Armed Forces of the Philippines General Hospital neuropsychiatric service chief, there are 15 psychologists and only 2 psychiatrists in the Army.

“Aside from our existent mental health program, number one, isa sa mga plan is to recruit psychologists so that they would be embedded in the smaller units,” De Jesus said on the GMA Digital Specials episode “Mental: What is PTSD?”

The Army also plans to partner with different mental institutions near the places where the soldiers are deployed, De Jesus adds.

The call for better mental health services in the Army rose after former soldier Winston Ragos was shot dead by a Quezon City police officer in April.

READ: Army expects indictment vs. cops involved in Ragos death

Ragos served in the military for almost a decade and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to the Army, of the confirmed cases of soldiers with PTSD, 90 percent return to duty, while 10 percent don’t heal and are given disability discharge certification. – RC, GMA News