Press Release - Bong Go advocates for better mental health support to ensure well-being of OFWs affected by global crises

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, raised his concern about the mental health of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) considering the possibility of significant stressors they could face in their pursuit of better opportunities abroad while overcoming various crises happening globally.

According to a study led by Dr. Veronica Ramirez of the University of Asia and the Pacific, stressors such as regular communication concerning family issues, financial obligations, homesickness, demanding workloads, and the challenges associated with adapting to a foreign culture, notably the language barrier, are causing considerable distress among OFWs.

The research on "Patterns of Detection and Treatment of Mental Health Problems Among OFWs: Implications to Psychosocial Support Services," which was carried out from June 2021 to March 2022, involved nearly 1,000 participants, 825 of whom are OFWs.

They found out that the participants have encountered episodes of panic attacks, schizophrenia, paranoia, anxiety, and extreme fear.

For this reason, Go has urged the relevant agencies to integrate the research findings into the creation or enhancement of specialized services and programs addressing the issue.

Go stressed the importance of recognizing and addressing these stressors to ensure the well-being of OFWs who play a crucial role in supporting their families and contributing to the country's economy.

"Alam naman po natin kung gaano kahirap mawalay sa ating mga pamilya. Itong mga OFWs natin, sila ang ating modern-day heroes. Sila ay nagsasakripisyo upang makapagbigay ng magandang buhay sa kanilang mga pamilya na andirito sa Pilipinas. Kaya napakalaking hamon ang kanilang kinakaharap," expressed Go.

"Ako po ay nananawagan sa ating pamahalaan, palakasin pa ang suporta para sa mental health ng ating mga OFWs. Kailangan po natin ng mga programa at serbisyong makatutulong sa kanila na labanan ang stress, kalungkutan, at iba pang mga emosyonal na hamon na kanilang kinakaharap," he urged.

Go has been a consistent champion of mental health initiatives. In a recent Committee on Finance