Bernadette Sembrano Fights for the Mentally Ill in ‘Krusada’

People with mental disorders or illnesses are often subjects of mockery and are unjustly incarcerated or abandoned by the judgmental public that labels them ‘lunatics’ or ‘crazy.’

Tomorrow, February 16, in “Krusada,” Bernadette Sembrano will examine how the government attends to the needs of the mentally ill and if it provides adequate support and attention to mental health care facilities in the country.

“We often forget that there are people with mental illnesses who need sufficient medical attention. We should re-evaluate if medicine and hospital confinement are their only options for their cure,” she said.

Bernadette has been actively engaged in missions that benefit the mentally ill for her involvement with ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya. They rescued the woman who figured in the news for living in a mosquito net in Guinobatan, Albay and the Reodava siblings in Aklan who have since gotten well.

Due to her experience with Sagip Kapamilya, Bernadette has also fought for the improvement of the conditions of mental facilities in the country. There may be existing psychiatric units and day-treatment centers, but most of them are located in Metro Manila and cannot be accessed by patients in rural areas.

Listen, take part and be one with Bernadette’s crusade because it takes more than words to make a stand. Watch “Krusada,” which is nominated in the Social Issues/Current Events category at the prestigious 2012 New York Festivals International Television & Film Awards, tomorrow, February 16, after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN, or earlier on DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable Channel 26), 9:15 PM.