# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://pluralartmag.com/2022/11/02/6-ways-art-moves-beyond-the-canvas-at-mindanao-art-2022/

TITLE: Born This Way

AUTHOR: Aljon de Jose

DATE PUBLISHED: November 2, 2022

KEY CONTENT: The painting was created to show the struggles of LGBTQ acceptance in Kidapawan. It also has strong undertones of mental health problems, in light of the series of suicides among young people in the city.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://conflictandhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-1505-5-3

TITLE: Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines

AUTHOR: Yolanda Mueller, Susanna Cristofani, Carmen Rodriguez, Rohani T Malaguiok, Tatiana Gil, Rebecca F Grais & Renato Souza

DATE PUBLISHED: March 7, 2011

KEY CONTENT: The research presents the effectiveness of mental health intervention among those who are displaced due to the conflicts between MILF and the government. Their strategy for the intervention involves psychologists training community health workers and having psychotherapy for the victims.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Abstract

Background

For more than forty years, episodes of violence in the Mindanao conflict have recurrently led to civilian displacement. In 2008, Medecins Sans Frontieres set up a mental health program integrated into primary health care in Mindanao Region. In this article, we describe a model of mental health care and the characteristics and outcomes of patients attending mental health services.

Methods

Psychologists working in mobile clinics assessed patients referred by trained clinicians located at primary level. They provided psychological first aid, brief psychotherapy and referral for severe patients. Patient characteristics and outcomes in terms of Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ20) and Global Assessment of Functioning score (GAF) are described.

Results

Among the 463 adult patients diagnosed with a common mental disorder with at least two visits, median SRQ20 score diminished from 7 to 3 (p < 0.001) and median GAF score increased from 60 to 70 (p < 0.001). Baseline score and score at last assessment were different for both discharged patients and defaulters (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Brief psychotherapy sessions provided at primary level during emergencies can potentially improve patients' symptoms of distress.

Background

During the acute phase of an emergency, mental health interventions to reduce traumatic stress are often put in place. In addition to syndromes often associated with conflict such as post-traumatic stress disorders [ 1], other disorders also occur, such as depressive or anxiety disorders [ 2]. Further, in a context of limited access to health care, patients with mental health or neurological disorders not directly linked to the conflict, such as psychosis or epilepsy, may be neglected by vertical interventions related to the conflict or natural disaster [ 3]. Descriptions of treatment models and research about the outcome of interventions in emergencies are rare [ 4]. Much of the existing research focuses on post-traumatic disorders, often to the exclusion of other disorders. Less attention may be given to the needs of those with disorders unrelated to the conflict. Vertical trauma-focused services are often juxtaposed against the importance of the integration of trauma-focused care and the treatment of pre-existing mental disorders into general mental health and primary care [ 5].

Humanitarian organizations now recommend that psychological first aid be provided as part of medical care for victims of violence or natural disasters and that care for people with severe mental illness is integrated into primary health care due to the extreme vulnerability of such patients [ 4, 6, 7]. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has integrated mental health into medical activities in order to respond to mental health needs of people with common and severe mental disorders [ 3]. Following international recommendations [ 7], MSF developed a model for mental health care provision where psychological first aid and brief psychotherapy is provided to patients with common mental disorders by trained psychologists working at primary health care level. The diagnosis and treatment of severe mental illness are either provided through a referral system to existing psychiatric care structures or directly if no such structures exist. Here, we describe a model of mental health care adapted to protracted conflicts and the characteristics and outcomes of patients attending mental health services. We discuss lessons learned and the need for continued research on mental health in humanitarian emergencies.

Methods

Setting

The Mindanao conflict in the Philippines first flared in the 1960s when the Moros, the Muslim minority, began an armed struggle to regain their ancestral homeland in the southern island [ 8]. Since then, periods of peace have alternated with periods of short but ferocious clashes between the Bangsamoro rebel forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), displacing tens of thousands of civilians. In August 2008, the peace agreement between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) disintegrated and an estimated 700,000 persons were displaced [ 8]. Most of the fighting between the government and MILF secessionist group took place in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

During that time, many had to evacuate under fire, saw their homes destroyed, or witnessed people being wounded or killed. Since, some displaced returned to their homes, facing the risks associated with shelling and fighting during the night. By December 2009, 125 278 people were still estimated to be internally displaced in Central Mindanao [ 9]. These informal settlement sites, called evacuation centers, were made of local material and plastic sheeting and located in public spaces and on roadsides. Some centers were transformed into semi-permanent resettlement areas because of the persistence of the armed conflict in the home communities of the displaced population. In these confined spaces, the population still encountered fighting and the surrounding presence of armed forces. Relatives in the community hosted nearly half of the displaced.

MSF started to work in Mindanao in November 2008, with the aim of ensuring medical care for the displaced population. Within this framework, the organization set up activities with the authorization of the Ministry of Health. At primary health care level, mobile clinics provided curative and preventive care at the level of the evacuation centres. In addition, the Ministry-of-Health-supported Rural Health Units received additional support in terms of medical supplies, human resources and logistics. Secondary level care was supported by establishing a referral system to the regional hospital. All individuals, whether displaced or members of the host community were eligible to receive care provided free of charge.

Mental health intervention

At the community level, community health workers (CHW) were trained by the psychologists to identify and refer cases of mental disorders and epilepsy to the MSF mobile clinics, where the mental health team provided proper diagnosis and treatment (Figure 1). The mental health team consisted of three national psychologists, one national psychologist supervisor, and one expatriate psychologist coordinating the team. At the rural health unit level and in mobile clinics, medical and paramedical staff were trained to suspect potential mental health disorders when faced with a patient presenting with at least two medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). In this case, they performed the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ20)[ 10]. In the absence of a cut off score validated for the local population and due to the impossibility to conduct such studies during a humanitarian emergency, we applied a cut off score of equal or superior to six based on the results of a previous study conducted in the same region [ 11]. Identified patients were then referred to the mental health team. If the score was below six, the patient was usually not referred, except in the presence of other symptoms and signs that led the clinician to consider the patient still in need of mental health support. The mental health team filled the SRQ20 again, to corroborate the score done by the medical staff. The Trauma Scale Questionnaire (TSQ) was used to detect post-traumatic stress disorder [ 12- 14]. Subsequently, the Global Assessment of Functioning score (GAF) was administered in order to assess levels of disability. The psychologist, after making a diagnosis, also provided psychological first aid and structured psychotherapy. All patients were advised to come for follow-up consultations with the mental health team. Patients that did not present to follow-up consultations were reminded to do so by the CHW covering their area. The CHW also collected information about the reason of the default through the community.

Within this model, psychologists located at primary health care level provided psychological first aid and structured psychotherapy to people with common mental disorders [ 15- 18]. Brief psychotherapy sessions consisted of psychoeducation, breathing and relaxation exercises, problem solving counseling and cognitive behavioral techniques for the management of anxiety and depressive symptoms. This choice of psychotherapeutic interventions was based on the existing evidence of its effectiveness and feasibility in primary health care settings in low-income countries [ 4]. The first follow-up visit was usually planned after 1 week, and from then on every second week. The usual treatment plan consisted of three to four follow-up consultations, although it was possible to add more sessions, taking into consideration the evolution of symptoms of the individual patient. The primary health care psychologists also assessed cases of severe mental illness, before referring them to a psychiatrist working at the secondary level. MSF covered all transportation and psychiatric treatment costs and for referred patient for a minimum of 6 months up to two years of treatment.

Scores

The self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ20) is a scoring system used to assess levels of distress. It has been endorsed by WHO to be used in primary health care settings for detection of probable cases of mental health disorders. The SRQ20 includes 20 items related to somatic signs, depressive/anxiety factors, and a more cognitive/decreased energy factor [ 10]. It has been used previously in the Philippines in a population-based survey about the impact on mental health of partner violence [ 19]. The SRQ20 has also been used in conjunction with other scales to asses outcome of patients undergoing psychotherapy in Brazil [ 20]. The final score of an individual patient can vary between 0 (no distress) to 20 (maximum distress).

The Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) is a widely used scale that measures overall levels of functionality of an individual. It corresponds to the fifth axis used to organize mental health diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) [ 21]. The scale ranges from 01-10 ("persistent danger of severely hurting self or others OR persistent inability to maintain minimum personal hygiene OR serious suicidal act with clear expectation of death") to 91-100 ("superior functioning in a wide range of activities, life's problems never seem to get out of hand, is sought out by others because of his or her many qualities. No symptoms"). For simplification purposes, categories 01-10 are reported in this article as 10, 11-20 as 20, 21-30 as 30, etc.

Data Analysis

Data were collected by trained psychologists for all patients referred to the mental health team. At each patient's first consultation, information about socio-demographical characteristics, the experienced traumatic events, and syndromic mental health diagnosis was collected. The same scoring system was used at every subsequent visit to evaluate the patients. Translation of the instruments from English to the local language was performed using standard cross-cultural procedures [ 22]. The supervising psychologist entered the data into an MS Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft, Seattle, Washington). Retrospective analysis of the data was performed using Stata 9 statistical software (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas). Analysis of outcomes focused on patients over 15 years of age with common mental disorders, in order to have a homogenous group of patients. Scores between first and last visit were compared using the Wilcoxon rank test.

Ethical considerations

We used routine monitoring data from the MSF program, which was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Health via a memorandum of understanding, which is the usual procedure for NGOs operating in these contexts. No supplementary interventions were conducted for the analysis presented here. All electronic data were entered anonymously and identifiers were coded. No ethnic or identifying information was entered.

Results

Between March 4 and December 15 2009, the mental health team assessed 962 patients, totaling 2,242 visits. The mean age of patients was 35 years (SD 15 years). The male:female sex ratio was 1:3.9 for patients over 15 years. Out of the 962 patients referred to the team, 771 (80.1%) were considered to suffer from a mental health disorder after evaluation by the primary health care psychologist (Table 1). The remaining patients consisted either of persons referred to the mental health team for counseling for sexually transmitted infections or patients that were not judged to suffer from a mental disorder after assessment by the psychologist, although initially suspected by the medical teams.

Table 1 Type of mental health disorder among 962 patients referred to the mental health team in Mindanao, Philippines, March-December 2009

This paper focuses on the description and outcomes of patients aged over 15 years old and diagnosed with a common mental disorder. The majority of these patients (96%) experienced some traumatic event; the most frequently reported being evacuation of the home in a dangerous situation (54%), experiencing a combat situation (26%) or destruction of property (5%) (Table 2). Furthermore, 11% of the patients reported a death due to violence in the household. Four hundred and sixty-three patients (70%) were seen more than once (Figure 2). Median delay between the first and second visit was 14 days (IQR 7,28), and between subsequent visits ranged between 21 and 28 days. Over half (57%) of the patients did not come back for a scheduled visit (dropouts) before being discharged by the team. Data collected by the CHW showed that 35 to 40% of the dropouts had moved to another location or went back home.

Table 2 Characteristics of 661 patients over 15 years old with common mental disorder, Mindanao, Philippines, March-December 2009

We examined the evolution of the patients at consecutive visits according to the scores described above. Figures 3 and 4 shows the evolution of the individual patients on respectively the GAF and the SRQ20 score, for patients with at least two visits. Between first and last visit, median GAF score increased from 60 (IQR 60, 60) to 70 (IQR 64, 75; Wilcoxon rank test p < 0.001) and median SRQ20 score diminished from 7 (IQR 6,8) to 3 (IQR 1,7; Wilcoxon rank test p < 0.001). The difference between baseline score and score at last assessment was significant for both discharged patients and defaulters (p < 0.001). By analyzing the data (excluding the dropouts) we observed that 46% of the patients had sufficiently improved to allow discharge by the 3rd visit and 87% by the 4 th.

Discussion

The Mindanao project in the Philippines shows that simple mental health approaches such as psychological first aid and brief psychotherapy can be integrated into primary health care in an emergency humanitarian context. Furthermore, retrospective analysis of patient data suggest that brief psychotherapy sessions provided at primary level to patients with common mental disorders can potentially improve patients' symptoms of distress, within a few sessions.

Although there were a high number of dropouts from the program, it is important to note that patients did improve before they dropped out. This high proportion of dropouts could be linked to the volatile security context and regular displacements occurring in this population, which may prevent patients from attending consultations. We do not think that this reflects failure of care. Flexibility in the pattern of follow-up is a necessity in such an unstable environment, where regular attendance to appointments at fixed points in time cannot be expected. However, our data show that even a brief and sometimes irregular intervention can lead to substantial improvements in patients' conditions.

Whereas other case series conducted in violent contexts such as Darfur [ 3], Palestine [ 23] and Colombia [ 2] have already described characteristics of patients affected by mental disorders, our data have the advantage of having used standardized outcome measures and not only psychologist's opinion. Interestingly, our series consisted of a higher proportions of patients with common mental disorders when compared to the patients in Darfur [ 3], which showed a high proportion of severe disorders. This may be a reflection of the active case detection approach used in Mindanao, integrated into primary care, which allowed for detection of non-severe cases of mental disorders.

The creation of a strong network of community health workers was crucial to identify potential patients and to ensure good follow-up. CHWs also played an important role for adherence to psychological support and pharmacological treatment, by speaking with the patient about the importance of finishing treatment. Indeed, without the work done by the CHWs in this project, the proportion of defaulters would probably have been much higher. It was also important to find local psychologists able to speak and understand local languages and cultural issues. This gave patients the opportunity to express themselves in their own language, while receiving professional care from someone coming from the same cultural background. The good collaboration between the medical staff and the mental health team was also an important factor of success of the project. This was facilitated by previous sensitization and training of medical team on mental health issues.

It is worth noting that changes on median GAF scores reflected a progression from moderate symptoms to mild symptoms and good functionality. Although the GAF score has been used previously to measure patient outcome, the SRQ20 score was not validated as such for this purpose. However, we do find this scale useful in this situation, as it is referring to items related to distress not directly related to a specific diagnosis. Besides, it has been used in a number of different cultural contexts. Interestingly, GAF and SRQ scores showed a linear relationship in our dataset (regression coefficient -1.5; 95%CI -1.53, -1.41; p < 0.001), which strengthens our conclusions. Clinicians (doctors and nurses) also judged the SRQ20 to be a useful tool to perform screening of a suspected case before referring them for specialized assessment. Further research on the development and use of outcome measures that can be standardized, acceptable to primary health care practitioners and feasible for routine use in humanitarian settings is of the utmost importance [ 24].

One of the limitations of this work is the absence of a control group. Indeed, we cannot exclude that the positive outcomes seen in this project are not due to the intervention, but may only reflect the healing effect of time itself. The possibility of bias due to the fact that professionals providing mental health services were the same ones that measured outcome scores can not be excluded. We tried to minimize this by implementing continuous training and quality control on the use of the scales. Further, outside of a study context, inclusion criteria into the program were not strictly defined, allowing for the follow-up of some very paucisymptomatic cases. This inclusion of patients with light symptoms may have accentuated the positive impact of the intervention. This highlights the need for continued formal research in this area.

Conclusions

This project shows the feasibility and success of implementing mental health care into primary care, as recommended by WHO, even in an unstable context with a mobile population. Brief psychotherapy sessions provided at primary level during emergencies can potentially improve patients' symptoms of distress. The key to success in this project lies in the flexibility given by the mobile set-up, the integration of psychologists as part of the mobile clinic teams, the good network of CHW specifically trained in the identification and follow up of mental health patients, as well as the good collaboration between medical and mental health teams. This multidisciplinary approach should be promoted and widely applied in other humanitarian contexts.

Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the staff and the patients of the project. We also would like to thank the Ministry of Health for its collaboration.

This work was funded by the operational budget of MSFCH.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Epicentre, 8 rue Saint Sabin, 75011, Paris, France

Yolanda Mueller & Rebecca F Grais

2. Médecins Sans Frontières, rue de Lausanne 78, CP 116, 1211, Geneva 21, Switzerland

Susanna Cristofani & Renato Souza

3. Médecins Sans Frontières, N°01 Manara st, Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato city, 9600, Mindanao, Philippines

Carmen Rodriguez, Rohani T Malaguiok & Tatiana Gil

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yolanda Mueller.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

YM analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. CR, TG, RTM and SC conceived the data collection system, and contributed to the data interpretation and the revision of the manuscript. RFG and RS made substantial contributions to the data analysis and to the revision of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Authors' original submitted files for images

Below are the links to the authors' original submitted files for images.

Rights and permissions

This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mueller, Y., Cristofani, S., Rodriguez, C. et al. Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines. Confl Health 5, 3 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1505-5-3
Download citation
Keywords

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Integrating mental health into primary care for displaced populations: the experience of Mindanao, Philippines - Conflict and Health

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Background For more than forty years, episodes of violence in the Mindanao conflict have recurrently led to civilian displacement. In 2008, Medecins Sans Frontieres set up a mental health program integrated into primary health care in Mindanao Region. In this article, we describe a model of mental health care and the characteristics and outcomes of patients attending mental health services.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://issuu.com/mindanaotoday/docs/thursday-friday_may_18-19_2023

TITLE: Youth Mental health, pandemic and more participative solutions.

AUTHOR: Atty. Gilberto Lauengco, J.D

DATE PUBLISHED: May 18, 2023

KEY CONTENT: The magazine article (page 4) raise concern about the mental health of people, especially Gen Z in order to help them overcome depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.facebook.com/YouthForMentalHealth/posts/1593739107724824

TITLE: Self care is NEVER selfish PRIORITIZE your mental health.

AUTHOR: Youth for Mental Health Coalition, Inc.

DATE PUBLISHED: October 10, 2022

KEY CONTENT: This advocacy based from their theme they make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority for all and this will help people be aware of themselves and mental state.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Happy Mental Health Day!

Ang tema ngayong taon ay "Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority."

Yakap mga kap!
#Y4MH #HelpIsHere #MoveForMentalHealth

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.icrc.org/en/document/philippines-stronger-mental-health-workforce-mindanao

TITLE: Philippines: How we're helping build a stronger mental health workforce in Mindanao

AUTHOR: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

DATE PUBLISHED: June 24, 2021

KEY CONTENT: This article gives insight on the initiatives being taken to deal with the problem, especially with regard to expanding the workforce in mental health. Given that it illustrates existing programs and identifies areas that may require more intervention and awareness campaigns.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
International Committee of the Red Cross

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
International Committee of the Red Cross

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Philippines: How we’re helping build a stronger mental health workforce in Mindanao

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With limited resources and a widespread stigma on mental health, especially during COVID-19, how can people have better access to the care they need?

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://fb.watch/qmnlFKgi6f/

TITLE: "Mental Wellness in the Now Normal" A Webinar on Mental Health Awareness

AUTHOR: Davao del Norte State College

DATE PUBLISHED: October 24, 2022

KEY CONTENT: Due to the recent pandemic, mental health has become a prominent issue among students. This webinar discusses mental health issues in many aspects and how to cope with them.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://msuiit.edu.ph/events/details.php?id=346

TITLE:

KASAMA mo kami: A podcast on Mental Health “Breaking The Stigma”

AUTHOR:

KASAMA mo kami is an audio podcast, an event organized by the KASAMA in line with the Mental Health Month, in collaboration with the Office of Guidance and Counselling, Motivation Philippines, Quaranteens, and I Am Here.

DATE PUBLISHED:

October 24, 2020

KEY CONTENT:

This podcast seeks to enlighten IIT students and listeners about mental health stigmas in the Philippines, providing a platform for open dialogue and education. By offering a break from academic pressures, it addresses the pressing need for mental health intervention and awareness among students in Mindanao, fostering a supportive environment and encouraging proactive discussions on mental well-being.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
KASAMA mo kami: A Podcast on Mental Health "Breaking the Stigma"

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Events | MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://davaotoday.com/economy/health/group-urges-community-support-for-people-with-mental-health-issues/

TITLE: Group urges community support for people with mental health issues

AUTHOR: Kath M. Cortez

DATE PUBLISHED: June 21, 2022

KEY CONTENT: The Philippine Mental Health Association in Davao City is launching a new awareness campaign and community-based support system due to the expensive nature of seeking professional help for mental health issues, especially in poorer communities. Despite increased prevalence, mental health problems are often overlooked or stigmatized, leading many individuals to hide their struggles, exacerbated during the pandemic by the disruption of daily life and increased risk among young people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Group urges community support for people with mental health issues | Davao Today

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The local chapter of Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) rallies anew for a massive awareness campaign on the proper handling of mental health issues commonly experienced by any individual within the family or in the community.

# data[].attributes.headline
14.) NON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OR ACADEMIC INSTITUTION ARTICLE

# data[].attributes.subject
14.) NON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OR ACADEMIC INSTITUTION ARTICLE

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.facebook.com/pmhadavao

TITLE: Philippine Mental Health Association-Davao Chapter

AUTHOR: PMHA organization

DATE PUBLISHED: The organization has remained at the forefront of mental health advocacy for over 73 years.

KEY CONTENT: PMHA is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization that provides premier Mental Health Services through Education, Advocacy, Intervention and Research. It is dedicated to enhancing mental health for individuals. The organization educates, advocates for improved policies, offers support, and engages in research. Their vision is a future where everyone's mental well-being is valued, irrespective of their background.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.

We are at the forefront of mental health advocacy for 73 years now, reaching out and changing millions of lives.

Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.

PMHA is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization that provides premier Mental Health Services through Education, Advocacy, Intervention and Research.

We facilitate easy access to services

Million

people reached through multimedia platforms

socially conscious pool of professional volunteers

Education, Advocacy and Research Department

Promoting mental health and preventing mental disorders through increasing public awareness campaigns and activities.

Clinical and Intervention Services Department

Providing mental health services to children, youth, and adults with emotional and behavioral problems and/or mental disorders.

Book an appointment

We will continue to enhance individual and collective well-being for a mentally healthy Philippines!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
PMHA is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization that provides premier Mental Health Services through Education, Advocacy, Intervention and Research.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2024/01/12/2308964/silent-epidemic-emerging-rising-mental-health-concern

TITLE: A silent epidemic emerging: The rising mental health concern

AUTHOR: Dolly Dy-Zulueta

DATE PUBLISHED: January 12, 2024

KEY CONTENT: Due to the rising issue of mental health concerns, the Philippine Mental Health law is being implemented towards workplaces. Employees are the foundation of organizations so it is important that they also have the support and time that they need.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
MANILA, Philippines - As the world emerges from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new challenge looms large and clear: A silent and pervasive epidemic of mental health disorders is taking shape.

Recent data reveals alarming statistics. Globally, The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in eight individuals is living with a mental health condition.

In the Philippines, 41% of Filipino Prosumers (consumers who are at the forefront of emerging trends, behaviors, beliefs and attitudes; making up 15 to 20% of the population) admit to be grappling with mental health issues. This figure skyrockets to 73% among Filipino Gen-Zs, indicating that they are more likely to experience mental health conditions than the average Filipino.

With 95% of Filipino Prosumers agreeing that mental health is one of the most pressing issues of our times, and 91% saying that "mental health is as important as physical health," it is urgent to address this problem.

The bigger problem is that social stigmas and the fear of being misunderstood and judged is causing those who are suffering from mental health issues to suffer in silence. Seventy percent of them tend to mask their true emotions in order to fit in society and in work situations, presenting a facade of wellbeing instead. Since they put up a front, people they interact with do not see how serious their problem is and thus tend to dismiss mental health disorders as fleeting emotions or attribute them to a generation that is "weak."

The misguided notion that mental wellness is a choice, and that individuals can simply "suck it up" or "will themselves to get better" further narrows the doors to an open dialogue. As a result, those who are experiencing mental health problems end up feeling isolated and kept farther away from the help that they need.

While world issues like inflation and socio-political climate contribute to mental stress, personal concerns such as familial relationships, personal financial stability, and job security still affect people on a deeper level. Close to half (49%) of Filipino Prosumers identify their personal and family situations as a factor with the greatest impact on their personal wellbeing. In comparison, only 20% have identified the economic situation as having the greatest impact on their mental health, and the COVID-19 pandemic was only identified by 18% as causing them a lot of mental stress.

"The path forward requires collective action. Public and private entities establishing robust support systems is one step closer to addressing mental health matters. At Havas Ortega, we open the conversation on self-care and relaxation through our TALK Initiative. We also have an employee assistance program that enables our people, who are living with mental health conditions, to not only survive at work but to also thrive and grow," said Jos Ortega, chairman and CEO of Havas Ortega.

For Filipino companies and brands, adherence to the Philippine Mental Health Law is the starting point. But it is necessary to go beyond mere compliance to the law: Recognizing that employees have physical and mental wellbeing needs is the foundation of helping them grow holistically as individuals.

Ortega added: "By fostering an environment that encourages mental health discussions through advertising and marketing, businesses can be at the forefront of combating the silent pandemic of mental health disorders - ensuring a brighter, healthier future for all Filipinos."

This is true not only in the workplace, though. Proper intervention to directly address the problem of mental health should come from family support groups, too, and, if need be, from mental health experts to get to the root of the problem and make sure it is solved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A silent epidemic emerging: The rising mental health concern

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As the world emerges from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new challenge looms large and clear: A silent and pervasive epidemic of mental health disorders is taking shape.

# data[].attributes.headline
5.) LOCAL/NATIONAL NEWS SEGMENT VIDEO CLIP

# data[].attributes.subject
5.) LOCAL/NATIONAL NEWS SEGMENT VIDEO CLIP

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoAH_7cHS1c

TITLE: Mental Wellness Center sa mga homeless mentally challenged sa Davao City, magamit na

DATE PUBLISHED: Jan 24, 2022

AUTHOR: PTV DAVAO

KEY CONTENT: After almost a year of construction, the Mental Wellness Center in Davao City is ready to use for homeless people struggling in their mental health and being.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental Wellness Center sa mga homeless mentally challenged sa Davao City, magamit na

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/An-infographic-that-summarizes-the-state-of-mental-health-in-the-Philippines_fig1_353394115

TITLE: The State of Mental Health In The Philippines

AUTHOR: Nicholle Maravilla & Myles Tan

DATE PUBLISHED: July 1, 2021

KEY CONTENT: The Infographic says that more than 3.6 million Filipinos are suffering from a mental illness. It is only worsening because Filipinos have adapted Stigma and Discrimination against mental health issues as part of their culture, which puts emphasis on the Negligence and Ignorance of people towards mental Health.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.savethechildren.net/news/government-must-urgently-intervene-protect-mental-health-children-philippines-says-save

TITLE: GOVERNMENT MUST URGENTLY INTERVENE TO PROTECT MENTAL HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN THE PHILIPPINES, SAYS SAVE THE CHILDREN

AUTHOR: Save the Children

DATE PUBLISHED: February 10, 2023

KEY CONTENT: Save the Children is urging the Philippine government to act urgently as student suicides spiked, with 404 deaths and 2,147 attempts last school year. CEO Atty. Alberto Muyot labels it a national emergency, pointing to post-COVID challenges and growing inequality. Immediate investment in mental health services and long-term support for all children, especially those in need, is crucial for a more equal society.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://fb.watch/qknL8W_cnD/

TITLE: 📣MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTIONAL VIDEO CONTEST 🛑ENTRY # 1

AUTHOR: CJC - Guidance & Counseling Center

DATE PUBLISHED: November 10, 2021

KEY CONTENT: This promotional video talks about a person's mental health, more specifically their self-respect. This video sends encouraging words to its audience, which puts emphasis of raising awareness towards mental health.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://youtu.be/kRGaAuFzF3Q?si=RwRbC_GQK8U0gKHQ

TITLE: Mental trauma haunts Philippines typhoon survivors.

AUTHOR: AFP News Agency

DATE PUBLISHED: November 25, 2013

KEY CONTENT: This news segment shows the aftermath of the devastating Typhoon Yolanda. The victims have suffered not only physical damage, but also mental damage as well, as they have survived such a catastrophic event. The head nurse even advises the victims to have someone to talk to, because as of that moment, there were very few psychologists who were deployed in the scene, which really puts emphasis on the lack of mental health intervention in the Philippines.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental trauma haunts Philippines typhoon survivors

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://lolakwentosera.com/pages/sinoangbaliw

TITLE: Sino ang Dakila? Sino ang Tunay na Baliw?

AUTHOR: Amelia De Chavez Pagdanganan (Lolakwentosera)

DATE PUBLISHED: 2020

KEY CONTENT: The book explains mental health through many aspects, such as the author's personal experiences and those of others, Christian Scriptures, and science. It also contains tips on how to understand ourselves and others better for the good of all.

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://youtu.be/vb2xZTexJ_s?si=ns2EkQbKnHSF5dtF

TITLE: Investigative Documentaries: Mga taong may mental health condition, paano tutulungan?

AUTHOR: GMA Public Affairs

DATE PUBLISHED: November 23, 2019

KEY CONTENT: This documentary shows what goes on within the National Center for Mental Health. A doctor shows how the process for admitting patients and how they give treatment according to what the patient's issue is.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Investigative Documentaries: Mga taong may mental health condition, paano tutulungan?

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6FAK1O8BUiQ

TITLE: The Mental Health Benefits of Nature - Mindanao Tours

Author: Mindanao Tours

DATE PUBLISHED: JUNE 27, 2023

KEY CONTENT: This short platform shows the possibilities of nature to a positive contribution to our Mental Health. There is a growing body of research that suggests that spending time in nature can have a number of positive effects on Mental Health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Mental Health Benefits of Nature - Mindanao Tours #mindanao #caraga #shorts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There is a growing body of research that suggests that spending time in nature can have a number of positive effects on mental health. Studies have shown tha...

# data[].attributes.body
URL: https://msf-seasia.org/blogs/17793

TITLE: Philippines: Helping people cope amid conflict in Mindanao

AUTHOR : Natasha Reyes

DATE PUBLISHED: 09/29/2017

KEY CONTENT: This Professional Blog Article talks about MSF helping people who fled to the city of Iligan due to the attack on Marawi City. MSF has been conducting group and individual counselling for those for adults and children in the evacuation camps of Iligan City as well as providing them the basic necessities and prioritizing their Mental Health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doctors Without Borders)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Philippines: Helping people cope amid conflict in Mindanao

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The first surprise was the sheer size of the attack on Marawi City by pro- Islamic State fighters. The crisis since – with 360,000 people displaced, and heavy combat into its fifth month – is equally unprecedented, leaving the Mindanao region of the Philippines

# data[].attributes.body
URL:

TITLE: 10 Warning signs of Mental Problems

AUTHOR: Dr. Willie Ong

DATE PUBLISHED: May 1, 2023

KEY CONTENT: This Professional Vlog Feature brings attention to the warning signs in dealing with Mental Problems. Dr. Willie Ong enumerates the 10 signs that needs to be looked out for to know if someone is experiencing Mental Problems and how to treat them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems. - By Doc Willie Ong (Internist and Cardiologist)