Disaster and Mental Health PDF

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO MENTAL HEALTH Calamity - associated with widespread economic and productive disruptions. (Ex. Pandemics, Job loss) Disaster – serious disruption of the functioning of a PERSON, COMMUNITY or a SOCIETY...

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO MENTAL HEALTH Calamity - associated with widespread economic and productive disruptions. (Ex. Pandemics, Job loss) Disaster – serious disruption of the functioning of a PERSON, COMMUNITY or a SOCIETY involving 1. Bridges and major roads cracked, making widespread human, material, economic, or these impassable. environmental losses and impacts. 2. Destruction of crops and other agricultural products are a result of this. › Disasters can result from natural hazards (such as 3. When work is suspended and being unable to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes) or human- made earn. events (such as industrial accidents, conflicts). 4. Government institution releases loan. › It is NOT synonymous with CATASTROPHE or 5. Focuses on lost economic gains during a CALAMITY. disaster. Damage - Refers to physical harm or destruction Catastrophe - Focuses on affected lives. More death caused by an event. For example, a hurricane might means catastrophic. cause damage to houses, infrastructure, and crops. 1. Focuses on lost lives during a disaster. › Material things that’s been destroyed. 2. Describe as deadly and more extensive. 3. These are type of disaster that killed a lot of 1. Pertains to material harm brought about by people. disaster. 4. A landslide hit a bus in Mindanao, only 2 2. Destruction of crops and other agricultural survived while 50 were reported dead. products results from this. 3. Bridges and major roads cracked, making Crisis - When the law of supply and demand is at stake, these impassable. a crisis is imminent: Disruption - Refers to the interruption or disturbance More demand than supply of normal operations or processes. This could be Less resources to supply the need caused by various factors such as natural disasters, accidents, or human actions. For instance, a power There is supply but no way to reach market/people outage can disrupt daily routines, businesses, and 1. Price increase on commodities such as food services like transportation and communication. and water during a disaster. 1. At storm signal no. 3, all fights will be 2. There is an unavailability of medicine and milk suspended. due to the storm. 2. State of change of actual activities of daily 3. These type of disaster resulted from an living. imbalance between supply and demand. 3. When an individual can’t continually engage to 4. When more demand is created due to lack of their routine due to disaster. resources. 4. Suspension of classes and work. 5. If there is lack of healthcare workers that can 5. Transportation becomes limited due to flood. be tapped for emergencies. Distress – Surprise or sudden attack. Three Levels of Disasters 1. Shock and trauma are usual example of this 1. Social – highest level of disaster. Impact the entire type. society 2. People ransacked and began to loot groceries Ex. Due to the war, the oil price will rise. Pandemics. and stores after the earthquake. 3. People becoming helpless and develop low 1. Wars often result in this level of disaster. self-esteem. 2. This type does not spare anyone and all are 4. Matilda wasn’t able to sleep properly after the affected. earthquake. 3. Consequences of this type are often severe and 5. Mental instability brought by sudden event. long-lasting. 4. Damages that everyone is affected. 2. Communal - Includes small communities or groups - "Poor people have a greater impact in disasters." Ex. Discrimination, Racism Housing Conditions - The quality of housing and 1. Damages contained in an area and affected infrastructure can significantly affect vulnerability to selected people. disasters. Those living in poorly constructed or 2. Include small groups of people within the inadequate housing are at higher risk during disasters. place. 3. Can occur among people bonded by similarity Geographical Location - Those residing in high-risk or affinity. areas are more likely to face the immediate impacts of 4. A group of informal settlers home was disasters. wrecked by fire in a city. Ex. Residing in mountains carries a high risk of 3. Individual - Includes personal and intimate flooding. situations. Access to Resources and Services - Unequal access Ex. Illnesses, Loss of a Job or Home. to resources, such as education, healthcare, and emergency services, can contribute to differential 1. After being diagnosed with HIV, Timmy impacts during and after disasters. thought his life changed. 2. When a breadwinner loses a job. Governance and Policy - The effectiveness of 3. Problem may extend to immediate significant governance structures and policies in place to manage others such as parent and siblings. disasters can impact outcomes. Communities with 4. Being fired from a job. strong and inclusive governance may be better 5. If one household is on fire. equipped to handle disasters. Goal of Disaster Mental Health Gender Dynamics - Gender roles and inequalities can affect vulnerability and resilience during disasters. The primary goal is to decrease the stress of an event Women and other marginalized gender groups may and mitigate future problems. face unique challenges, and their roles in disaster Concepts of Disaster Behavioral Health planning and recovery should be considered. 1. No one who sees a disaster is unaffected by it Education and Awareness - Levels of education and awareness within a community can influence 2. There are 2 types of disaster trauma – individual preparedness and the ability to respond effectively to and community disasters. Well-informed communities may be better equipped to mitigate risks and adapt to changes. 3. Most people pull together and function after a disaster but their effectiveness is diminished MODULE 2 - PHASES OF DISASTER 4. Stress and grief are common reactions to an Definition of Disaster abnormal situation. A disaster is a natural or human-caused occurrence Social Determinants of Disasters that causes human suffering. › The social determinants of disasters refer to the A disaster creates a collective need that overwhelms underlying social, economic, and environmental local resources and requires additional assistance. factors that influence a community's vulnerability to disasters and its ability to respond and recover. Collective Needs – These are the basic things/needs that groups of people require to live well together, like Socioeconomic Status - People with lower food, shelter, safety, healthcare, education, and social socioeconomic status often have fewer resources, connections. limited access to healthcare, and may live in more vulnerable areas, making them more susceptible to Community Resources - services and facilities the impacts of disasters. available to people within a specific area or group, such as community centers, libraries, parks, health 7. Accidents due to negligence or clinics, food banks, shelters, social services agencies, malpractice. and volunteer organizations, to meet various needs Both natural and man-made and improve well-being. 1. Trauma from the unpredictability and TYPES OF DISASTERS uncontrollable cause of event. Natural Disaster - caused by natural or 2. Causes damage, disruption, and environmental factors. distress. 3. Warnings are present, but not › It is an Act of God because it is believed to be predictable. caused by natural forces or phenomena that are beyond human control or influence. NATURAL DISASTER › It is inevitable Biological - involves the impact on living organisms, such as plants, animals, and humans, due to events like E.g. Hurricanes, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, floods, wildfires, or disease outbreaks. Floods and Storms. › E.g. Viral Infectious Diseases (Pandemic), 1. Grade 1 student went to school even if Bacterial Infectious Diseases (Tuberculosis), there's no class due to storm. Parasitic Infectious Diseases (Malaria) 2. Lead to heightened feelings of fear, anger, and sense of vulnerability. Geophysical - Earth's structure and processes. 3. Changes are part of the evolutionary › E.g. Earthquake, Volcano, Mass Movement – process to alter the landscape. Dry (Rockfall, Landslide, Avalanche, 4. These include parasite, viral, and Subsidence) bacterial infections that can spread. Hydrological - pertains to water-related events. Man-Made Disasters - caused due to or consequences of human activities. › E.g. Flood (General Flood, Flash Flood, Storm Surge/Coastal Flood), Mass Movement – West › While natural disasters are beyond human (Rockfall, Landslide, Avalanche, Subsidence) control due to their occurrence being attributed to natural forces, man-made Metrological - involves atmospheric conditions and disasters are preventable and can be weather phenomena. controlled through human intervention and precautionary actions. › E.g. Storm (Tropical Cyclone, extra-Tropical Cyclone, Local Storm), Tornadoes › E.g. Wars, Fire Accidents, Industrial Accidents etc. Climatological - concerns long-term climate patterns and trends. Negligence – being careless › E.g. Extreme Temperature (Heat Wave, Cold With Intent - doing it on purpose Wave, Extreme Winter), Condition (Extreme Winter Condition), Drought, Wildfire (Forest 1. Oil spill that damages local reefs and Fire, Land Fire), El Nino (Ocean gets warmer), corals. La Nina (Ocean gets cooler) 2. Trauma may result from the intentional harm. 3. Communities may come together in the face of shared adversity. MAN-MADE DISASTER 4. An employee forgets to turn off the gas, Socio-Technical Disaster and leaks occur. 5. Transportation accidents. › Technological Disaster - event caused by a 6. Economic sanctions such as forbidding malfunction of a technological structure and/or some imports/exports. human error in controlling or handling the technology.  E.g. Viruses on phones, such as Risk Assessment - the process of identifying and through email, refer to malicious evaluating potential risks or hazards to determine software that can infect devices and their likelihood and impact, along with finding ways to cause harm or disrupt normal manage or mitigate them. operations. 1. The shortest but dangerous phase. › Transportation Disaster - involving vehicles or 2. There's a thin line between survival and death transportation systems, such as plane crashes, train 3. Risk assessment capacity is decreased. derailments, or shipwrecks, resulting in significant Heroic Phase - stage in disaster response loss of life, injuries, or damage. characterized by immediate and intense efforts to › Structure Collapse - Structure collapse refers to the rescue and assist those affected by the disaster. sudden failure of a building, bridge, or other man- High level of activity with a low level of made structure, often resulting in damage, injury, or productivity loss of life. Adrenaline-induced rescue behavior › Production Failure - a situation where the Risk assessment may be impaired manufacturing process encounters issues or Drown by their emotion malfunctions, leading to a disruption or halt in the 1. Emotional high is evident among people. production of goods or services. 2. Adrenaline rush is expected to happen. › Warfare - the use of armed conflict and military force Honeymoon Phase - characterized by a sense of to achieve political or strategic objectives. solidarity, support, and optimism as affected communities come together to help one another and › National Warfare - conflicts within the rebuild. It usually lasts a few weeks. borders of a single country. 1. Community bonding occurs › International warfare - involves conflicts 2. People rush to help one another. between two or more countries or states, often referred to as interstate or global conflicts. Disillusionment Phase - when initial feelings of unity and optimism give way to frustration, exhaustion, and ›› Non-Conventional - This type of disillusionment as challenges persist and the reality of warfare is often used by groups or recovery sets in (you should stand up on your own). nations with less military power to Discouragement fight against stronger opponents. 1. Hope is decreasing. E.g. Marawi Siege, Guerrilla Warfare 2. There’s a feeling of abandonment. ›› Conventional - armed conflict that 3. Stress and fatigue take a toll. follows established norms and rules of 4. Optimism turns to discouragement. engagement, such as using Reconstruction Phase - involves efforts to rebuild conventional weapons like guns, tanks, and restore affected communities, infrastructure, and and aircraft. Bombing, War livelihoods, often with a focus on long-term (1-3 years) PHASES OF DISASTER recovery and resilience-building. Pre-Disaster Phase - events PRIOR to the impact of 1. The longest but the challenging phase. the disaster. 2. People discover new meaning. Normal Day PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF A DISASTER Best time to prepare Distress Responses Usual Activities – Earthquake and Fire Drills 1. You feel tiredness or low energy for no reason 1. The best time to prepare. since he left you. 2. Trinity was observed to have decreased in Impact Phase – “D Day” appetite after the accident.  3. As a consequence of being abused by her love, E.g. When you’re living beside the cliff, sea or Nicky had frequent dreams or nightmares. mountain. 4. Justin is being paranoid every time he rides the 1. Grade 1 students went to school even if there’s elevator. no class due to storm. 5. A student experiences trouble concentration after an earthquake. Physical Hazard - involves physical conditions or 6. Most will return to normal function with no substances that can cause harm, such as sharp objects, significant problems. extreme temperatures, loud noises, or radiation. 7. A child has been looking for her mom after being separated due to the accident. 1. A knife falls from the table and hits the child's foot. Behavioral Changes 2. Oil spill that damages local reefs and coral. 3. Transportation accidents. 1. Dustin was noted to have increased alcohol use after failing school. Contextual Hazard – Psychological, Cultural 2. After being laid off from work, Nimfa isolated herself from former colleagues E.g. Discrimination, Sexism, Homophobic, and Bullies 3. Substance abuse such as cocaine and meth 1. Trauma may result from the intentional harm addiction is expected to increase during 2. A wife has been beaten by her husband economic crisis. because she wasn’t able to cook dinner. 4. After her separation with her husband, Bea had difficulty making decisions. Biological Hazards - These involve biological agents or substances that pose a threat to human health, such Psychiatric Illness as viruses, bacteria, or toxins from living organisms. 1. Thelma has been thinking of ending her life 1. A cook sneeze in front of his workstation. after being dumped by her boyfriend. 2. Most soldiers reported to experience PTSD. 3. These are considered to be severe reactions Risks - the chance or probability that a person will be from disasters. harmed or experience an adverse health effect if 4. Few people will develop diagnosable exposed to a hazard. conditions that impair their lives. The closer you are to the risk, the higher the chance you encounter a hazard. Module 3: HAZARDS, RISKS, MITIGATION, AND 1. Involves the likelihood or probability that RISK REDUCTION hazard will actually cause harm, combined with the severity of the harm. Hazard - anything that has the potential to cause 2. Product of probability of an adverse event harm, damage, or adverse effects. These can be occurring and the consequences of that event. natural, like earthquakes or floods, or human-made, 3. Increases if a person is exposed or near like chemicals or machinery. potential harm. 1. Most are tangible and can be seen by the naked 4. Effect can either be acute or chronic. eye. BOTH PRESENT IN HAZARD AND RISK 2. Refer to potential sources of harm or adverse effects. 1. Takes into account factor such as 3. Condition or situation that has the potential to vulnerability. cause harm to people, property, or the 2. Exposures can either be intentional or environment. accidental. CLASSIFICATION OF RISKS TYPES OF HAZARDS Nature of Exposure Natural Hazard - events or phenomena that occur naturally in the environment, like earthquakes, Initial, random, or consistent hurricanes, or wildfires.  No. of times exposed “Prevention or preparedness” is to ensure that human action or natural phenomena do not › The more you are exposed to risk, the greater result in disaster or emergency. your risk becomes. Risk Reduction - Reducing exposure to hazards, Type of Exposure lessening the vulnerability of people and property, Direct or indirect exposure wise management of land and the environment, and improving preparedness for adverse events are all Accidental or intentional examples of disaster risk reduction. Extent of Exposure Awareness, education, preparedness, and Acute or chronic prediction and warning systems can reduce the disruptive impacts of a natural disaster on Severity of potential effect communities. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAZARD AND RISK MODULE 4: VULNERABLE POPULATION VULNERABILITY - how likely people or places are to be hurt or damaged because of their weaknesses or Hazard - anything that can lack of protection during emergencies or crises. cause harm/something that has the potential to harm you. (e.g. It refers to the resilience of communities when chemicals, electricity, ladders, confronted by external stresses on human etc.) health, stresses such as natural or human- caused disasters, or disease outbreaks. It also refers to "the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally." Risk – how great the chance Reducing vulnerability can decrease both that someone will be harmed by human suffering and loss. the hazard/the likelihood Vulnerability is the inability to resist a hazard (probability) of a hazard or to respond when a disaster has occurred. causing harm. etc.) For instance, people who live on plains are more vulnerable to floods than people who live Risk and the context of hazard, exposure higher up. and vulnerability INDICATORS OF SOCIAL VULNERABILITY There is no such thing as a natural Gender - during a flood, women who are responsible disaster, only natural hazards. for childcare may find it difficult to evacuate quickly, We make choices as to where we leading to increased vulnerability compared to men inhabit, how we build and what who may have fewer caregiving responsibilities. research we do Risk is the combination of hazard, Demographic Attributes - In an earthquake-prone exposure, and vulnerability area, elderly individuals living alone may face higher Death, loss and damage is the vulnerability due to physical limitations and function of the context of hazard, difficulties accessing resources or evacuating safely. exposure and vulnerability Socio-Economic Status - This indicates how wealthy Mitigation - Measures that eliminate or reduce the or poor someone is and how it affects their ability to impacts and risks of hazards through proactive cope with disasters; lower-income individuals may measures taken before an emergency or disaster lack resources or access to proper shelter and occurs. healthcare. to reduce the severity of the human and material damage caused by the disaster. Public Resources - In a densely populated city prone TRIAGE CATEGORIES to earthquakes, the presence of well-maintained Emergency - have life-threatening injuries or evacuation routes, earthquake-resistant buildings, conditions requiring immediate medical attention to and accessible emergency shelters can significantly save their lives. Examples include severe bleeding, reduce casualties and property damage. cardiac arrest, or difficulty breathing. Disability and Special Needs - In the event of an Priority - serious injuries or conditions that are not earthquake, individuals with hearing impairments immediately life-threatening but require prompt may require emergency alerts to be delivered through medical treatment to prevent deterioration visual signals or text messages to ensure they receive (worsening). Examples include fractures, severe critical information and can take appropriate actions burns, or moderate bleeding. to protect themselves. Non-Urgent - have minor injuries or illnesses that do VULNERABLE POPULATION - refers to groups of not require immediate medical attention and can people who are at a higher risk of experiencing safely wait for treatment. Examples include minor adverse effects or harm during emergencies, disasters, cuts, bruises, or mild cold symptoms. or crises due to various factors such as socio-economic status, age, disability, or other characteristics that may * In some cases, non-urgent patients with medical limit their ability to prepare for, cope with, or recover skills or abilities that could help others or support from such events. medical staff may be treated sooner to maximize the number of survivors. One measure of the strength of a community's response and recovery system during a Red – immediate/emergency disaster is its attentiveness to its most vulnerable citizens–children, the frail elderly, Yellow - Urgent the disabled, and the impoverished and Green – nonurgent/walking wounded disenfranchised. It is a cruel fact: disasters discriminate. Black – dead/little to no hope of survival SENSITIVITY IN PSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES OF DISASTER TRIAGE - Responsive to stimuli, changes in the o Do the greatest good for the greatest number environment, feelings, or other phenomena; of people that is, having sensitivity. o Employ the most efficient use of available - Having well-developed or intense affective resources sensibility o Treat as many as possible who have a chance - It is the strength of the capacity to detect and of survival discriminate stimuli. THE IMPORTANCE OF SENSITIVITY - The mental MODULE 5: INTRODUCTION TO MENTAL HEALTH health professional has to be sensitive to the context, The World Health Organization (WHO) conceptualizes the cultures, the clients, the consequences of the mental health as a “state of well-being in which the disaster on a range of parties, the powerless, the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope powerful, and people’s agendas. with the normal stresses of life, can work productively TRIAGE - the process of sorting and prioritizing and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his patients or casualties based on the severity of their or her community.” injuries or illnesses to provide medical care efficiently MENTAL HEALTH – cognitive process and effectively, especially in emergency or disaster situations where resources may be limited while Mental health involves processing maximizing the overall survival rate. information, storing it in memory and understanding this information Has a wider scope EMOTIONAL HEALTH – emotions and feelings o Better equipped to manage their emotions, problem- solve effectively, Emotional health involves the ability to control and seek support when needed. and express emotions appropriately. Has a limited scope Psychological well-being MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH o It contributes to greater psychological well-being by fostering a positive The ability to accept oneself and others, outlook, self-esteem, and a sense of express and manage emotions, and deal with purpose. the demands and challenges one meet in their o Tend to have stronger emotional life. regulation skills. CHARACTERISTIC OF GOOD MENTAL/EMOTIONAL Recovery from trauma HEALTH o Greater resilience are more likely to Sense of belonging recover and adapt positively over time. o Feeling close to family members, o They may exhibit greater flexibility, friends, teachers, and others provides optimism, and a belief in their ability them with support. to overcome obstacles. Sense of purpose Building protective factors o Recognizing that one have value and o Strong social support networks, importance as a person lets them set healthy coping strategies, and adaptive and reach goals. problem-solving skills. Positive outlook TYPES OF RESILIENCE o Seeing the bright side of life reduces PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE stress and increases their chances of It is our capacity to mentally adapt and cope success. with adversity and uncertainty Self-sufficiency EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE o Having the confidence to make It enables us to understand how and why we responsible decisions promotes one’s are feeling a certain way when facing a crisis sense of independence and self- and manage our emotions in a positive manner assurance. PHYSICAL RESELIENCE Healthy self-esteem It is the ability of our body to meet physical o Having healthy self-esteem helps you hardship, such as accidents, injuries or illness, accept and recover from difficulties so that we can recover from different health and failures. conditions and heal ourselves RESILIENCY AND MENTAL HEALTH - Mentally and SOCIAL RESELIENCE emotionally healthy people handle stress in positive ways. These people are resilient It is about we relate and respond to others and deal with individual and collective challenges, RESILIENCY - the ability to adapt effectively and like terrorism, crime, natural disasters, and recover from disappointment, difficulty, or crisis. economic hardship, together as a community. Coping with adversity MODULE 6: LEGAL BASIS OF DMH o Coping with life's challenges, setbacks, PHILIPPINES AS A DISASTER PRONE NATION and stressors. There are 24 active volcanoes in the country.  Philippines is located at and near the junction (j) Ensure that disaster risk reduction and climate of 3 major tectonic plates, namely; stable change measures are gender responsive, sensitive to Eurasian Plate to the west, northwest-moving indigenous know ledge systems, and respectful of Philippine Sea Plate to the east, and human rights; northward-moving Indo- Australian Plate to (k) Recognize the local risk patterns across the the south country and strengthen the capacity of LGUs for More or less, 20 storms arrive at the country disaster risk reduction and management through every year. decentralized powers, responsibilities, and resources REPUBLIC ACT No. 10121 at the regional and local levels; This Act shall be known as the “Philippine (l) Recognize and strengthen the capacities of LGUs Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act and communities in mitigating and preparing for, of 2010”. responding to, and recovering from the impact of “Disaster” – a serious disruption of the disasters; functioning of a community or a society (m) Engage the participation of civil society involving widespread human, material, organizations (CSOs), the private sector and economic or environmental losses and volunteers in the government’s disaster risk reduction impacts, which exceeds the ability of the programs towards complementation of resources and affected community or society to cope using its effective delivery of services to the Citizenry; own resources. Disasters are often described as a result of the (n) Develop and strengthen the capacities of combination of: the exposure to a hazard; the vulnerable and marginalized groups to mitigate, conditions of vulnerability that are present; prepare for, respond to, and recover from the effect of and insufficient capacity or measures to disasters. reduce or cope with the potential negative consequences. Salient Features: Disaster impacts may include loss of life, Budget of 1 billion pesos per year injury, disease and other negative effects on human, physical, mental and social well-being, Regulations of: together with damage to property, destruction National Disaster Risk Reduction and of assets, loss of services, Social and economic Management Council disruption and environmental degradation. Office of Civil Defense REPUBLIC ACT No. 10121 Objectives: Accreditation, Mobilization, and Protection of Disaster Volunteers and National Service (a) Uphold the people’s constitutional rights to life and Reserve Corps, CSOs and the Private Sector. property by addressing the root causes of Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction vulnerabilities to disasters... Education into the School Curricula and (b) Adhere to and adopt the universal norms, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Program and principles and standards of humanitarian assistance Mandatory Training for the Public Sector and the global effort on risk reduction... Employees Coordination During Emergencies (c) Incorporate internationally accepted principles of Declaration of State of Calamity disaster risk management in the creation and Imposition of price ceiling on basic necessities implementation of national, regional and local and prime commodities sustainable development and poverty reduction Mechanism for International Humanitarian strategies, policies, plans and budgets; Assistance (d) Adopt a disaster risk reduction and management Prohibited acts: approach that is holistic, comprehensive, integrated, and proactive in lessening the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of disasters.  Misrepresenting the source of relief goods, (k) Mental Health Condition refers to a equipment or other aid commodities by: neurologic or psychiatric condition characterized by the existence of a (1) Either covering, replacing or recognizable, clinically-significant disturbance defacing the labels of the containers to in an individual's cognition, emotional make it appear that the goods, regulation, or behavioral that reflects a genetic equipment or other aid commodities or acquired dysfunction in the neurological, came from another agency or persons; psychosocial, or developmental process (2) Repacking the! goods, equipment underlying mental functioning. The or other aid commodities into determination of neurologic and psychiatric containers with different markings to conditions shall be based on scientifically- make it appear that the goods came accepted medical nomenclature and best from another agency or persons or available scientific and medical evidence; was released upon the instance of a Republic Act No. 11036 Objectives: particular agency or persons; (a) Strengthen effective leadership and governance for (3) Making false verbal claim that the mental health by, among others, formulating, goods, equipment or other and developing, and implementing national policies, commodity m its untampered original strategies, programs, and regulations relating to containers actually came from another mental health; agency or persons or was released upon the instance of a particular (b) Develop and establish a comprehensive, integrated agency or persons; effective and efficient national mental health care system responsive to the psychiatric, neurologic, and Substituting or replacing relief goods, psychosocial needs of the Filipino people; equipment or other aid commodities with the same items or inferior/cheaper quality; (c) Protect the rights and freedoms of persons with Illegal solicitations by persons or psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial needs of organizations representing others as defined Filipino people; in the standards and guidelines set by the (d) Strengthen information systems, evidence and NDRRMC; research for mental health; Deliberate use of false at inflated data in support of the request for funding, relief (e) Integrated mental health care in the basic health goods, equipment or other aid commodities services; and for emergency assistance or livelihood projects; and (f) Integrate strategies promoting mental health in Tampering with or stealing hazard monitoring educational institutions, the workplace, and in and disaster preparedness equipment and communities. paraphernalia. Salient Features of Republic Act No. 11036 REPUBLIC ACT No. 11036 Budget depends on DOH allocation This Act shall be known as the "Mental Health o Only 3–5% of the total health budget is Act.“ spent on mental health, and the (j) Mental Health refers to a state of well-being majority of this is spent on the in which the individual realizes one's own operation and maintenance of abilities and potentials, scopes adequately psychiatric hospitals with the normal stresses of life, displays Regulations on: resilience in the face of extreme life events, o Rights of Service Users, Family works productively and fruitfully, and is able to Members, Carers, and Legal make a positive contribution to the Representatives community; o Rights of Mental Health Professionals o Quality of Mental Health Services  o Mental Health Services at the Efforts to address suicide prevention include Community Level raising awareness, providing mental health o Drug Screening Services, Suicide education, and improving access to crisis Prevention, Public Awareness intervention and support services. o Integration of Mental Health into the Mental health issues among young people, Educational System and in the including depression, anxiety, and substance Workplace abuse, are a particular concern. o Upgrading of Local Hospitals and Factors such as academic pressure, social healthcare facilities media influence, and family dynamics contribute to the mental health challenges Republic Act No. 11036 Prohibited Acts: faced by Filipino youth. (a) Failure to secure informed consent of the service user, unless it falls under the exceptions provided under Section 18 of this Act; (b) Violation of confidentiality of information, as defined under Section 4(c) of this Act; (c) Discrimination against a person with mental- health condition, as defined under Section 4(e) of this Act; and (d) Administering inhumane, cruel, degrading or harmful treatment not based on medical or scientific evidence as indicated in Section 5(h) of this Act; MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PHILIPPINES Mental health stigma is still prevalent in Philippine society, which can prevent individuals from seeking help or disclosing their mental health issues. Cultural beliefs and misconceptions about mental illness contribute to this stigma. Access to mental health services remains limited, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized populations. There is a shortage of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors. Many Filipinos cannot afford mental health services due to financial constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges in the Philippines, including increased anxiety, depression, and stress due to concerns about health, economic insecurity, social isolation, and uncertainty about the future. Access to mental health services has also been disrupted by lockdowns and restrictions. Suicide rates in the Philippines have been a growing concern.