Workshops

CBMH Field Visit Japan-NIMH and DOH-Philippines Community-Based Mental Health (CBMH) Project 2-5 SEPTEMBER 2024 Republic of the Philippines

Report

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Courtesy call with the Secretary of Health, WHO Country Rep, PHSC Undersecretary and Directors from the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, Bureau of International Health Cooperation, Health Promotion Bureau, and Health Emergency Management Bureau @ the WHO Ph Country Office.

Summary

As a part of the Japan-NIMH and DOH-Philippines Community-Based Mental Health (CBMH) Project, a Japanese delegation visited the Philippines in September 2024 to learn about the current state of community-based mental health initiatives, needs, and challenges in the Philippines and to determine how a collaborative framework could be established.
The delegation visited pioneering regions in terms of community mental health in the Philippines, such as Tacloban City in Leyte Island and Aklan Province in Panay Island, to understand current initiatives and challenges.

Even though there are few mental health professionals, various initiatives have been developed based on the actual conditions in each region.
Various people and organizations connect and collaborate to compensate for the lack of resources, creating a strong sense of teamwork toward a common aim.
In terms of promotion and awareness-raising, there are opportunities for the general public to be exposed to mental health through events and other activities.
In regions that are taking pioneering initiatives, there is a champion, such as the governor of the province, to promote community mental health.

Some of the identified specific areas for further collaboration:
Urgent need for disaster mental health measures： The impact of Hurricane Haiyan in 2013 was the catalyst for developing mental health initiatives, and we still need to build upon those.
Mental health support for youth： Some efforts and raising awareness initiatives utilizing social media, apps, and media have already been implemented.
Suicide Prevention: The province of Aklan experienced a threefold rise after COVID-19 in the number of suicides.

This visit also served as an opportunity to figure out what content would be needed for the training program to be held in January 2025, when a group of representatives from various organizations from the Philippines will be invited to Japan.