LINGAYEN, June 29 -- The provincial government of Pangasinan will form a council and implement community-based programs to address concerns on mental health.

"It's (mental health concerns) a global issue actually, but we have to start somewhere. And we have to start as much as possible in the early stages so it will not worsen," said Vice Governor Mark Ronald Lambino in an interview on Monday.

He said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will pass an ordinance to address the mental health concerns here in the province, especially among the youth.

A proposal, he said, is to form a technical working group that would involve the education sector, security, social welfare offices, and other responsible stakeholders to address the concerns and to ...