Community-Based Mental Health (CBMH) Workshop　15-16 September 2025 in Iloilo City, Philippines

Summary

From September 15 to 16, 2025, a Community-Based Mental Health (CBMH) Workshop was held in Iloilo City, Philippines, to promote inclusive and community-driven approaches to mental health care.

Organized in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH), and the National Center for Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) of Japan, this event brought together representatives from across the region.

Throughout the workshop, participants shared experiences and discussed the current challenges faced by communities. These included a serious shortage of mental health specialists, limited access to services, and weak coordination among health, social welfare, and education sectors, etc. The discussions also highlighted how poverty, unstable livelihoods, family stress, and substance use strongly affect the mental well-being of individuals and families.

Case-based group discussions were used to explore real-life situations faced by vulnerable families in the community. Through these exercises, participants recognized that mental health concerns are not only individual issues but are closely connected to family relationships, community environments, and social conditions. The importance of a“whole-of-society”approach—where different sectors and community members work together—was repeatedly emphasized.

The workshop focused on practical actions that can be taken at the community level. Key topics included basic mental health training for barangay health workers and volunteers, strengthening referral pathways, improving communication among local services, and increasing awareness to reduce stigma. Participants also discussed the establishment of Barangay Mental Health Councils as a mechanism to support coordination, shared responsibility, and sustainable local governance.

By the end of the workshop, participants developed concrete short- and medium-term action plans aimed at strengthening family support, improving youth mental health, and institutionalizing community-based mental health programs, among others. The workshop provided valuable time for learning, dialogue, and collaboration, reinforcing the idea that community members—together with professionals and local institutions—play a vital role in promoting mental well-being.

Looking ahead, the outcomes of this workshop are expected to contribute to stronger community capacity, improved coordination across sectors, and the continued development of accessible and sustainable community-based mental health care in the Philippines.