Psychologists denounce proposed mental health tests for candidates

A proposal that will force candidates to take psychological tests has been denounced by a group of Filipino psychologists, saying individuals cannot be subjected to them without their informed consent. "Informed consent is is acquired from the client before conducting psychological tests," the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) said in a statement released over the weekend. Similarly, it also condemned the practice of "partisan individuals and media practitioners" who not only have disclosed fraudulent psychological reports but have also "made inaccurate statements about different aspects of the practice of psychology and the nature of psychological functioning." These actions, which it deemed "irresponsible", have "dangerous long-term effects on efforts of Filipino psychologists and other mental health professionals to address the psychological well-being of Filipinos." Releasing results of psychological tests or assessments to media or to the public at large also breach its ethics code, the group said, adding that these results are only released to the client. "Any reputable individual psychologist or psychological organization ensures the practice of confidentiality and that the results of psychological tests or assessment are only shared with the client," it said. "Psychologists take reasonable steps to ensure that information to be disclosed will not be misused, misunderstood or misinterpreted to infringe on human rights, whether intentionally or unintentionally." The group also criticized "the insinuation that people who see a psychologist or any mental health professional is “abnormal" or “permanently debilitated". "The PAP condemns the insinuation that depression is a permanent disability; and the use of words like “abnoy", ‘sira ang ulo’and “may diperensiya sa utak" to label individuals," the group said. "These irresponsible statements and similar acts perpetuate a profound lack of understanding of psychological concepts, of the nature of psychological problems and dysfunctions, and of the nature of psychological health and wellbeing." Seeing a psychologist or any mental health professional does not make a person “abnormal", it said, adding it also "means ensuring our mental health and psychological wellbeing." - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV