Dr. Gia Grace Sison (Facebook)
MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday extolled the late Dr. Gia Sison for her contribution to mental health awareness in the Philippines.
In a statement, the DOH sent condolences to the bereaved family of the mental health advocate and praised her efforts to help patients deal with mental health issues.
The DOH said her “calm and friendly voice was a voice that spoke for many others, a messenger that brought about positive change in mental health awareness and policy.”
"Maraming salamat, Dr. Gia, sa pagkilos tungo sa ginhawa ng isip at damdamin (Thank you, Dr. Guia, for caring about mental health and emotions)," DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said. "A grateful health sector will continue the work to ensure that mental health services will be available for all Filipinos."
Sison previously served as a consultant for the World Health Organization Western Pacific Regional Office on Health Lifestyle in the Workplace.
She headed Makati Medical Center’s Women Wellness Center and advocated for breast cancer awareness as a cancer survivor herself.
She also led the Livestrong Foundation and the National Adviser of the Youth for Mental Health Coalition.
She passed away on March 21. She was 53. (PNA)
