Philippines
WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health
The Philippines was selected to be part of the WHO’s Director General’s Special Initiative for Mental Health in 2021 to (i) create sustainable mental health governance and accountability structures; (ii) increase access to quality services; and (iii) strengthen mental health research and information systems.
Strengthening Mental Health Systems
Through activities under the Special Initiative for Mental Health, the Philippines is strengthening mental health systems across the country. This includes:
Supporting governing bodies to implement the Mental Health Act and Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Plan.
Increasing access to integrated, quality mental health care through mhGAP training to both health and non-health professionals (task-sharing).
Strengthening patient navigation and referral pathways.
Training and piloting of brief psychological interventions to accompany mhGAP treatment protocols.
Building the capacity of providers in secondary care facilities (including QualityRights eTraining).
Developing a mental health information system.
Refining and improving monitoring and evaluation for both the Special Initiative for Mental Health and the Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Plan.
Resources
News
Videos
In this insightful session at the Mental Health Forum 2024, Joery AMAD from the Philippines presents the implementation of the mhGAP in BARMM region. Highlighting local challenges and strategies, Joery discusses how mhGAP is bridging mental health service gaps. This session is a must-watch for mental health professionals and advocates interested in community-based mental health care solutions. (*) More information on mhGAP: Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use (who.int)
In Maguindanao, the mental health needs of 1.4 million people are supported by very few community health workers with mental health expertise and only five specialized facilities. Through the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health, nurses, midwives, and barangay health workers will be trained to address immediate gaps in mental health care. WHO Philippines and the Department of Health are supporting the BARMM Ministry of Health in developing community-based mental health care (CBMH) programs with primary health care workers and non-specialists in Maguindanao province. Watch this video to see how this initiative can support individuals and communities in Maguindanao.
The Philippines is one of six of the first countries chosen to be part of WHO’s Special Initiative for Mental Health. The goal of the Initiative, which covers the period 2019-2023, is that 100 million more people will have access to quality and affordable mental health care by 2023. This short video, produced for World Mental Health Day 2020, outlines the plans for the Initiative in the Philippines.