Arnel V. Hererra, M.D. (Sept.

2012) Mental Health Defined as The successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that are age-appropriate and congruent with local and cultural norms. Aspects of Mental Health: 1. Emotional Intelligence Feels comfortable about oneself. Have emotional self-control. Recognize emotions in others. Can handle relationships. Accepting people for what they are. 2. Resiliency Emerge and grow from negative life events 3. Enjoys life and contented with simple daily pleasures 4. Ambitious but sets realistic goals. 5. Accepts new challenges, new experiences and new ideas 6. Spirituality that are part of us that deals with relationships, values & addresses questions of purpose and meaning in life Mental Illness Defined as Maladaptive responses to stressors from the internal or external environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings and behaviours that are incongruent with the local and cultural norms and interfere with the individuals social, occupational, or physical functioning. Impacts many people w/o regard for age, income, or profession. Dealing with people with mental illness is not anyones problem, it is everyones responsibility. Signs and symptoms of Mental Illness: 1. Change in behaviour, restlessness, irritability, talkativeness, depression & suspicion Persistence for >2 wks. predisposes you to develop mental illness Before Puberty: M=F (1:1) Adolescence & Adulthood: M<F (1:4) Treatment is usually 7 months 2. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to ones health, interpersonal relationships, ability to work and linked with suicide 3. Impaired sleep or sleeplessness for a prolonged period 4. Getting tired easily, lowering of output 5. Impaired memory 6. Keeping away from family & friends Community Mental Health Refers to all activities undertaken in the community in the name of mental health In the context of Human Rights and Disability Current situation: in Institutions in Communities

Mental Health

A. Institutions Experience: Degrading treatment Neglect & lack of care Inhuman conditions Stripped of dignity INDISPUTABLE NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE B. Communities Experience for Majority: Neglect Rejection No access to treatment Poverty Stressed families Ridicule, Taunts Destitution Community as an alternative Is it possible? Mental Health help does not have to be in a hospital. Most patients living with a psychiatric disability can live a normal life with community support. Action Plan on Mental Health The Action Plan will: Focus on promotion, prevention & early intervention Improve access to services Build workforce capacity Better coordinate care & enable greater collaboration Provide a seamless and connected care system Two Key Concepts a. Institutionalize to place in a special location/house, lonely isolated but cannot live independently, lose individuality & ability to cope with life b. Community group of people, socially interdependent, participate together, relationships, share practices, collective action Experimentally almost opposite Treatment Process 1. Capacity Building breaking the silence of mental illness in communities 2. Treatment ensuring treatment for mentally ill people with the active involvement of their families, communities and using local resources, government facilities 3. Sustainable Livelihoods supporting practical projects that help mentally ill people to realise their potentials and contribute to their communities 4. Basic Needs Results people treated now productive members of their communities 5. Management & Administration to ensure work that is efficient and professional and satisfies the needs of mentally ill people and their families

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Caregivers & Mentors Take strengths-based, recovery approach to supporting people with severe mental illness Emphasis on community support and social connection as an integral component of recovery Coordination and integration of care o Multidisciplinary o intra- & inter-sectorial Referrals and links to appropriate services Individual recovery plans Care Coordination Provides for a clinical provider and a community coordinator Clinical providers psychiatrist, GP, Mental health nurse Community coordinator caregivers, barangay health workers, midwife These coordinators will manage referrals Major Obstacles Funding Stigma Infrastructure Leadership Financing Intersectoral (ex. DOH, PCSO) Department of Health Support Mobilizing International & Local Partners (Ex. WHO, UNICEF) Program Outcomes Increased access to appropriate support services at the right time Increased personal capacity & self-reliance Increased community participation How it will work? Talk to Community (Capacity Building) Treatment Self-Help Groups Livelihoods Acceptance Community

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