Ejercito calls for urgent youth mental health, HIV awareness campaigns

MANILA — Senator JV Ejercito pressed the Department of Health during a recent Senate budget hearing to expand its information and awareness campaigns addressing mental health and HIV transmission, particularly among young Filipinos grappling with rising suicide rates and elevated HIV incidence.

Ejercito highlighted the interconnected nature of these public health challenges, underscoring the need for coordinated, youth-focused interventions. The senator emphasized that current DOH efforts fall short of adequately reaching vulnerable young populations with critical health information and support resources.

The appeal comes as the Philippines continues to record concerning trends in both mental health crises and sexually transmitted infections among youth demographics. Mental health advocates and public health officials have increasingly recognized the psychological toll affecting Filipino young people, while epidemiological data shows persistently high HIV transmission rates in this age group.

Ejercito's call reflects growing legislative pressure on the DOH to allocate greater resources and develop more targeted, accessible health communication strategies. The senator's intervention during budget deliberations underscores Parliament's role in oversight of public health spending and policy priorities affecting the nation's youth.