Strengthening Mental Health and Psychological Support Systems and Services

This study is jointly conducted by the Council by the Welfare of Children and UNICEF, and commissioned to the Research Institute for Mindanao Culture – Xavier University.

This is part of a UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office research initiative that aims to define how Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) can most effectively be delivered for children and adolescent in the region. This initiative included the development of a regional conceptual framework covering a tiered and multisectoral package of MHPSS services to meet the specific needs of children and adolescents; the role of allied sectors – health, education, social welfare and justice – in the delivery of this package; and legislative, policy and institutional reforms and capacity-building steps required to ensure a multisector mental health system. Central to the research initiative was the application of the conceptual framework in four countries including the Philippines.

The country report provided the following:

1. A snapshot understanding of the mental health situation for children and adolescents.
2. Mapping of existing MHPSS systems and services for children and adolescents.
3. Analysis of the gaps between the conceptual framework and existing MHPSS systems and services for children and adolescents and the causes of those gaps.
4. Country specific recommendations and opportunities for strengthening the systems for the provision of multi-tiered MHPSS services for children and adolescents.