Lack of awareness of national policies and plans for mental health and psychosocial services among local government units (LGUs) is a “significant barrier” to implementing these programs, new study finds has been confirmed.
In a report released this month and carried out by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Mindanao Institute of Culture and the Barnett Institute, along with representatives from various sectors, found that many LGUs were involved in relevant policies and measures to inflict distress. said he was not aware of any specific role in Medical services for children and adolescents.
“This was seen as particularly important given that local governments are responsible for implementation and allocation of resources but may not prioritize mental health,” the study said.
“At the local level, LGUs are responsible for the funding and implementation of mental health programs, but focus on actions related to responsive care,” it added.
“Capacity and Support”
The report notes that the mental health of children and teens under 18 is one of “the world’s most neglected issues.”
In the Philippines, survey data and published studies on their mental health needs show that anxiety and depression are among the most common problems, as well as behavioral problems that affect learning. I was.
Under Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act, LGUs are obligated to develop and implement effective mental health care and wellness policies and ordinances.
There is also a call to develop training programs to empower care providers at the community level and to “establish, reorganize and modernize” mental health care facilities in their communities.
However, according to the study, “stakeholders point to the lack of awareness and prioritization of mental health by LGU authorities, as well as the lack of coordination across sectors, as barriers to impact. [policy] Implementation at the local level. “
few practitioners
“To overcome these challenges, stakeholders have recommended the establishment of a special coordinating body to build awareness, capacity and support for local governments to develop mental health legislation. ‘ said the report.
He also referred to the National Mental Health Strategy, which calls for the establishment of mental health councils in all 16 districts by 2023 and increased local planning efforts and program implementation.
“It was also recommended that each local government should allocate a specified amount in each budget to support … programs. and development programs,” the report said.
The limited number of trained practitioners was also seen as a major challenge. This has resulted in a high volume of cases and referral bottlenecks that slow access to healthcare.
“An estimated 2,051 professionals work in governmental and non-governmental settings. Of the 567 registered psychiatrists, 60 are child psychiatrists,” the report said, referring to the World Health Citing data from the Agency’s Mental Health Atlas.
Access to specialists is limited in rural areas, he added, as most of these specialists are located in urban areas and tertiary hospital facilities.
Health sector representatives who participated in the study said there was a shortage of neurodevelopmental and behavioral pediatricians in the country.
“There weren’t many applicants. [because] Income earned abroad is very high. In fact, we’re recruiting new doctors to come for training, but we haven’t received any applicants yet,” said the interviewee.
barangay health workers
To address the problem of a limited workforce, the report recommends improved training of primary health care providers to provide mental health care, stating that “children and adolescents can be effectively managed at the primary care level. ” emphasized.
He also noted that barangay health workers could also play a role in providing such services.
“Stakeholders have suggested improving the training and supervision of health workers in barangays…they are specifically developed to support the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents,” the study said. I’m here.
“This could involve more junior health workers, mainly focusing on children and adolescents, for whom MHPSS (mental health and psychosocial support services) could take on their role. It could be merged,” it added.
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