Mental Healthcare Systems in Northern Mindanao Project

(#MHCS Project)

This research project, led by Reynan S. Salo, MAPsy, TSM, along with a team of Component Leaders, aims to conduct a critical examination of the Mental Healthcare System (MHCS) in Northern Mindanao (NorMin). The project is driven by the urgent need to enhance the delivery of mental health services in the region, which currently faces major gaps, including underinvestment, an insufficient number of mental health professionals, and an underdeveloped healthcare system.

 

Project Goals and Research Questions

The primary goal of the MHCS Project is to map the mental health care system of NorMin. This study will provide the baseline data necessary to initiate the crafting of effective policies and evidence-based enhancements for the well-being of the region's residents.

 

The research seeks to answer key questions about the current status of the MHCS in NorMin, including:

1. Current Status: What is the mental health status and the current status of the mental healthcare system in NorMin?
2. Resources: Is there a sufficient number of trained professionals and facilities to cater to individuals with psychological challenges, and what is the effective ratio between needed professionals and the population?
3. Accessibility & Policy: Are there established and effective mental health policies in each city/municipality? Also, where do residents go when they need services?
4. Integration & Stigma: Is there evidence that mental health services are integrated into primary care settings, and what strategies are being implemented to reduce the stigma that prevents people from seeking help?

 

Methodology and Impact

The study will utilize a combined quantitative and qualitative descriptive approach. It plans to gather a minimum of 2,681 samples from residents across the five provinces and two chartered cities of NorMin (Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, and Camiguin). The methodology includes using a City/Municipality Profiler Questionnaire, a scale to measure residents' attitudes toward seeking help, and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) for deeper insights.

 

The ultimate aim of this research is to present concrete evidence to local government councils and policymakers, allowing them to enact improvements to the MHCS and supporting goals like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

 

The tagline highlights the three major phases of the MHCS Project:

 

1. From Awareness...

This phase is the research and data-gathering component of the project. The first step is to establish the facts that are currently missing in the region:

• Mental Health Status: Determining the number of reported cases and the prevalence of psychologically related challenges in NorMin.
• System Status: Identifying the current gaps, such as the shortage of trained professionals, the lack of facilities, and the absence of adequate policies in many cities and municipalities.

 

2. ...to Action:

This is the policy and intervention component. The gathered data will serve as the evidence-based foundation for concrete change.

• Strategic Enhancement: The findings will be used to suggest what cities and municipalities should prioritize in improving their healthcare system.
• Stigma Reduction: The project studies existing programs and proposes new strategies to move beyond mere talk and actively reduce the stigma that prevents people from seeking help.

 

3. Securing Mental Health for All:

This represents the ultimate social value and ethical commitment of the research.

• Equity and Inclusivity: The project aims to identify and eventually close the geographical disparity and inconsistency in service delivery, ensuring that mental healthcare is not limited to a few urban centers.
• Wider Alignment: This outcome aligns the local project with the global United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being and the vision of the Philippine Development Plan.