Mental Health in San Juan

Respondent 1 Overview

• Resident of San Juan for 22 years

Pressing Community Needs

• Mental health awareness is insufficient, and stigma remains a significant issue
• There is a lack of both mental health literacy and tangible actions aimed at reducing stigma
• Adolescents are hesitant to seek help, fearing judgment and discrimination

Progress in Recent Years

• Mental health awareness has improved somewhat over the years
• There are more mental health advocates now than in the past
• The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected mental health
• Suicide cases have risen, despite growing awareness

Common Mental Health Issues

• Common mental health issues observed include depression and anxiety that disrupts daily functioning
• Psychosis-like symptoms are seen in some community members

Neglected Individuals

• Individuals exhibiting psychotic symptoms do not receive proper care
• Officials sometimes degrade or ignore these individuals

Most Vulnerable Groups

• Youth/Adolescents are more susceptible due to identity formation
• This population experiences pressure, generational gaps, and misunderstandings with parents and existential crises
• Elderly individuals are also affected, but struggle to name or express their mental health issues

Key Areas for Improvement

• Mental health needs to be seen as central to physical, social, and emotional well-being
• When mental health is affected, all other aspects of life are impacted

Existing Programs and Initiatives

• Seminars are conducted by LGU/SK/MSWDO but are often ineffective due to poor audience targeting and low engagement
• A Hotline Project (SK/MSWDO) exists, but it's poorly advertised and lacks visibility and trust
• Psychiatrist visits are scheduled every 2 months but occur irregularly
• These visits are perceived as a promise rather than an actual service

Mental Health Coordinator

• The mental health coordinator (Nurse Aimie) has limited reach
• There is a lack of trained personnel, and BHWs lack necessary literacy

Psychological First Aid

• Only the mental health coordinator is trained in Psychological First Aid (PSA)
• PSA training should be expanded to more people to provide effective post-trauma support

Barriers to Accessing Support

• Stigma is a primary obstacle, causing youth to fear judgment and discrimination
• There is a lack of awareness of available mental health services
• Programs are poorly advertised, and youth are often unaware of who to contact
• Seminars are often one-off events that do not target the appropriate audience

Suggested Solutions

• Seminars should target relevant audiences and avoid generic, overcrowded formats
• Program improvement requires stronger engagement, better execution, and sustained follow-up
• Increased advertisement and visibility of mental health resources are needed
• Training on Psychological First Aid should be expanded
• BHWs and local leaders should be equipped with proper mental health knowledge

Respondent 2 Overview

• Resident of San Juan for 25 years

Pressing Community Needs

• Lack of livelihood opportunities exists due to a lack of government action to create jobs
• Past livelihood programs like piggery programs are now inactive
• There is inadequate government support with perceived inaction and corruption
• Political dynasties dominate but don't deliver results
• Marginalized communities lack access to healthcare

Progress over the Years

• There has been minor improvement, but persistent corruption remains
• Resources meant for the people are allegedly misused by politicians

Most Vulnerable Groups

• Vulnerable groups include the poor, unemployed parents, undernourished children, youth, elderly, and PWDs

Key Areas for Improvement

• Livelihood and education should be seen as foundational to helping youth and improving community well-being

Existing Programs and Initiatives

• There is lack of awareness of programs like SK scholarships
• There are no clear or impactful education-related projects in place
• There are no visible or ongoing livelihood programs
• Some minor initiatives are seen as politically motivated rather than genuine efforts
• Medical programs are acknowledged, but implementing fairness in implementation is a problem

Barriers to Accessing Services

• Selective distribution where help is given only to political allies or supporters
• Those not politically aligned are excluded from aid and services
• Lack of knowledge about how to access programs
• Educational gaps and poor communication from government contribute to exclusion

Suggested Solutions

• Services and aid should be accessible to all, regardless of political affiliation
• Government programs should be implemented equitably across all barangays
• Education the community on what government services are available
• Improve public information systems so everyone knows how to qualify and access support

Desired Outcomes

• Everyone who qualifies should benefit from livelihood and education programs
• No more political favoritism in public service distribution

Indicators of Program Success

• Widespread access and participation for marginalized communities in education and livelihood programs
• Success is measured by inclusivity, not exclusivity

Respondent 3 Priorities

• Mental health is the most neglected yet urgent need in the community
• Emotional and psychological struggles are overlooked in favor of physical programs
• Youth are silently struggling but rarely speak up due to lack of safe space

Changes in Community Needs

• Basic needs used to be enough
• Post-pandemic emotional well-being became a pressing concern
• People feel a sense of heaviness despite having their physical needs met

Vulnerable Groups

• Youth are most affected and misunderstood, caught between age roles
• Pressures intensify emotional struggles and issues can often be hidden

Areas for Development

• Mental health-focused programs are needed in the barangay
• Counseling/seminars and awareness campaigns are absent
• A literal safe space with trained listeners and peer support is desired

Challenges and Barriers

• the stigma and fear of being judged is a barrier
• A lack of access to trained mental health workers and facilities is a problem
• There are financial limitations and distrust in who to talk to

Indicators for Program Success

• Conversations around mental health and emotional struggles are normalized
• Peers benefit from existing support systems
• Fewer cases of suicide and more genuine happiness emerge

Respondent 4 Priorities

• Mental health remains misunderstood and needs to be addressed
• Current awareness is superficial and deeper mental health literacy is needed
• Mental health affects everyday functioning and personal relationships

Community Needs Evolving

• Greater openness, but still a lack of authenticity and depth
• Post-pandemic openness to talking about mental health has grown
• An increase in cases of self-harm, depression and suicide, especially among youth

Vulnerable Groups

• Youth, especially out-of-school youth may get into petty crimes
• A Lack of guidance and emotional support is a root cause of behavioral issues
• Youth require nurturing environments, and not just disciplinary action

Development through Engagement

• LGU involvement in creating sustainable mental health programs needed
• Barangay-based mental health professionals and personalized support should also be provided
• Programs should go beyond general seminars to more relatable, small-group efforts

Existing Challenges

• There is a lack of mental health programs or professionals at the barangay level
• Mental health issues remain invisible and stigmatized
• General seminars often fail to connect emotionally with the audience

Addressing those Challenges

• Government should take a proactive role and bring the system closer
• Partner with NGOs and higher government units to focus on community-based initiatives
• Conduct small relatable group activities to make help more approachable

Indicators for Program Success

• Reduced stigma and toxic positivity for better impact
• Genuine awareness and empathy across all age groups
• Support from family and community where people feel safe to open up to each other
• Fewer suicide cases and increased emotional support to improve connection

Respondent 6 Priorities

• Peace and security for youth and youth violence and street altercations
• Existing activities like sports leagues are insufficient
• More consistent engagement is needed

Changes needed for Community

• Youth violence has become more common
• Loitering leads to negative peer influence due to no activities

Vulnerable Groups Identified

• Out of school youth that lack routine, guidance, and family support
• Lack of direction and engagement leads to trouble

Development of Engagement

• Peacebuilding and discipline youth programs are needed
• Add activities like sports fests, leadership seminars, and purok-level bonding sessions

Issues and Barriers

• There are limited SK funds
• There is poor attendance and engagement in seminars and events

How to combat Barriers

• Schools, barangay tanods, and NGOs should work on purok-level projects together
• Form a youth peacekeeping volunteer mentor group

How to Measure Success

• There should be reduced nighttime violence
• Youth become disciplined and active in positive community activities
• Young people feel valued and included
• Communication improves between youth

Respondent 7

• In San Juan for 22-23 years

Primary Concerns

• Security is the most important issue
• These issues concern youth being engaged in street fights and disruptive behavior
• Youth don't care for the seminars

What needs to happen

• Seminars like KKDAT exist, but attendance is low and from a specific group
• Hands-on activities, like clean-up drives, should engage youth

Details of programs

• KKDAT and curfew strengthening. are failing
• Funding for youth programs is weak

Key Challenge

• Educational programs get no attention from parental guidance

Secondary Concern

• Education and scholarships are adequately addressed while security continues to be a concern

Respondent 8 Priorities

• Profiling data shows youth lack of knowledge in agriculture, but are growing interest toward it
• This has been pegged as education concern.

Changing Needs

• Implementation of programs like Agri-Youth Day and hydroponics seminars

Program Implementation

• Youth sharing experiences on social media and selling produce
• Youths have started appling what they have learned

Current Programs

• Hydroponics seminars have been successful and need more evaluation
• Securing sufficient resources, as funding and equipment are limited

Existing Barriers

Financial support and materials are lacking

Future

• Partner with private organizations and the Department of Agriculture

Outcomes

• Increase youth participation so they can apply shared knowledge

Respondent 9 Needs

• Limited livelihood opportunities
• People are migrating due to the struggle
• Long-term livelihood projects are needed

What's Changed

• Rising living costs
• People are struggling to make ends meet
• People must find money or leave

Focus Needed

• Livelihood programs that need follow-up support
• Continuous aid, like providing capital for people and small business

How projects stand now

• Lack of resources, funding, and follow-up
• People can't pursue opportunities from financial support

Issues and Barriers

• Limited resources and lack of follow-up are barriers
• NGO's could benefit with partnerships

Desired outcome

• No more aid is needed where businesses thrive

Successful Measurements

• Increased employment
• Self-sufficiency
• Reduced reliance