Hindi dapat ipagwalang-bahala: Yamsuan presses Philhealth coverage for postpartum mental health support

Parañaque 2nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan has proposed a measure that aims to mandate the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) to develop a benefit package targeted to safeguard the postpartum mental health of Filipino women.

Yamsuan said his proposed legislation under House Bill (HB) 8617 addresses the mental health struggles of women after pregnancy, which are often neglected or dismissed as a natural occurrence of childbirth.

“Ang postpartum depression, anxiety o stress ay hindi dapat ipagwalang-bahala na lamang. (should not just be ignored.) This is a vulnerable stage in a mother’s life. It is essential that they are not left to face these challenges alone,” Yamsuan said.

Yamsuan noted that while Philhealth provides benefit packages for general and specialty mental health services, there are none specifically for the screening and diagnosis of postpartum mental health conditions.

To fill this gap, HB 8617 provides that Philhealth cover the routine screening, diagnosis, and treatment of postpartum mental health disorders, such as postpartum blues, depression, or psychosis.

The bill also directs the Department of Health (DOH) and Philhealth to conduct a nationwide information campaign on postpartum mental health to heighten public awareness on these concerns and promote the availability of government support services.

“Kakagunita lang natin ng National Mental Health Week nitong nakaraang linggo pero wala tayo gaanong narinig tungkol sa postpartum mental health na isa ring dapat pagtuunan ng pansin (We just marked National Mental Health last week, but we hardly heard anything about postpartum mental health, which we should also pay attention to) . This is why the information campaign under our bill also aims to educate mothers about the importance of postpartum care and where they can turn to if they need help, including the Philhealth benefit package we are proposing under our measure,” Yamsuan said.

The fear of stigma, being judged, or being expected to be strong and resilient often discourage women from seeking help when experiencing postpartum depression, anxiety or stress.

Even if they seek help, this entails out-of-pocket expenses that only cause additional strain on them and their families, making it even more difficult for postpartum women to receive the mental health support they need.

A study found that at least three in every five pregnant or postpartum Filipino women experienced clinically significant depressive symptoms.

The same study found that there is an elevated risk of postpartum depression among younger women and single mothers.

Surveys done on the prevalence of postpartum depression among mothers in some government hospitals in the country showed varying results, with findings ranging from 14.5 percent, 22.61 percent and even as high as 32.8 percent.