The Philippine Army (PA) has launched its comprehensive mental health program called “Kaagapay ng mga Bayani” to establish a psychological intervention for soldiers.
This will particularly assist soldiers who have “war shock” and those who have gone into war.
PA Commanding General Gilbert Gapay said one of the factors that served as an eye-opener for them is the recent encounter between cops and former soldier Winston Ragos that resulted in his death.
“Mental health has taken a back seat. Kumbaga ano, nagiging second priority. ‘Yong mga sundalo natin just humans, ‘yong mga sundalo natin ‘yong combat stress is there all the time (Mental health has taken a back seat. It has been a second priority. Our soldiers are just humans, the combat stress is there all the time),” Gapay said.