BAGUIO CITY(PIA)–The Department of Health Center for Health Development Cordillera (DOH-CHD-CAR) is set to create the Regional Mental Health Council to help improve the mental health status of the region.
During the recent 3rd Quarter regular meeting of the Regional Social Development Council (RSDC), DOH-CAR Senior Health Program Officer Shamgar Manguda presented the regional mental health major programs, projects and activities (PPAs) for the remaining period of 2023.
Among the major PPAs include the creation of the Regional Mental Health Council which is embodied in Republic Act 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law. The Council serve as the policy-making, planning, coordinating and advisory body to oversee the implementation of the law.
Initial council members identified include the DOH-CHD, Department of Social Welfare and Development , Department of the Interior and Local Government, Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor and Employment, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Commission on Human Rights, Police Regional Office-Cordillera . The inclusion of private sector representatives was suggested during the meeting.
Another PPA is the strengthening of referral pathways and accessibility of mental health services thru the establishment of mental health/crisis hotline in all provinces. Capacitation will be conducted through the crisis hotline training this August.
Likewise, the establishment of pool of trainers on Mental Health Gap Action Program (MHGAP) which aims to capacitate the local government units on providing mental health services such as assessment, diagnosis and management to high risks individuals. Training was already conducted in Mt. Province and Benguet.
There is also a need for a suicide response, Manguda said. The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) with the assistance of the Mental Health Program’s trained staff on psychosocial interventions will conduct a baseline data gathering in the last quarter of this year. This activity aims to profile cases, determine factors associated with suicide ideation, determine factors that enables students to do self-harm, and recommend control and preventive measures.
A major PPAs for 2023 launched in July is the Project RISE “Reaching Individuals for Self-Empowerment through Unified Partnerships” which was attended by 157 stakeholders.
The project seeks to promote self-empowerment and mental health awareness through a unified partnership by engaging individuals in various interactive and educational initiatives creating a mental health revolution and empower individuals to take charge of their mental well-being, Manguda said. **JDP/MAWC-PIA-CAR