Mayor Leni Robredo has launched a permanent mental health hub in Naga City, expanding access to mental health support services through a partnership involving the city government, Angat Buhay, academic institutions, and private sector organizations.
The Angat Kahimati Mental Health Hub was formally turned over to the Naga City government by Angat Buhay during a ceremony attended by local officials and partners. Located at the Raul S. Roco Library compound within the Naga City Hall complex, the facility will serve as a dedicated center for residents seeking mental health support and professional intervention.
The hub builds on the Angat Kahimati program, a community-based mental health initiative launched in 2024 through a partnership among Angat Buhay, Ateneo de Naga University, and local advocates. After assuming office as mayor, Robredo said the city government sought to adopt Angat Kahimati as a city program and establish a permanent facility for its mental health counseling services.
“When I assumed office, we wanted to adopt it as a City Program and we wanted a more permanent and appropriate space for our Mental Health Counselling Sessions,” Robredo said.
The hub was established to help address barriers that continue to prevent many Filipinos from accessing mental health services, including limited resources, high costs, and the lack of accessible facilities in many communities. By bringing services closer to residents, the initiative seeks to expand access to mental health care and provide earlier intervention for those in need of support.
The facility will provide crisis intervention, psychological first aid, mental health support services, and referrals for further treatment and care. City officials said the center will strengthen the services of the city’s existing mental health programs while providing residents with a dedicated venue for support and intervention.
Robredo said the city identified and repurposed a former office space inside the Raul S. Roco Library compound to house the facility, transforming it into a permanent home for the program.
“We were able to transform the place without cost to the City Government,” she said.
The mayor credited Angat Buhay partners, Ateneo de Naga University, mental health professionals, volunteers, and private sector supporters for helping make the project possible.
“This hub will be a huge support to our Mental Health Unit at the City Health Office II,” Robredo added.
The project was made possible through the collaboration of Angat Buhay, Ateneo de Naga University, IKEA, H&F Retail Concepts, Davies Paints Philippines, mental health professionals, volunteers, and community advocates.
With the turnover completed, management and operations of the facility will now be handled by the Naga City government, giving residents access to a permanent community-based mental health center and expanding local access to mental health care and support services.
