The global fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic caused disastrous upheavals that affected the world in countless ways. People have been basically concerned about survival, the health of the community, the economy, business, education, environment, and the general quality of life.
One essential aspect that needs urgent attention is the mental health of the children.
“The Child Protection Network Foundation is celebrating 15 years of the Ako Para Sa Bata (I am for the Child) Conference with the theme “Usapang Lusog! Mental Health Para sa Bata” (Health Talk! Mental Health for Children) which will focus on the mental health concerns of children as well as of the caregivers and professionals working for the protection of the children,” said Dr. Bernadette J. Madrid, Executive Director of the Child Protection Network Foundation, Inc. (CPNF) and conference president of Ako Para Sa Bata 2023 (APSB), in a statement.
“The number of patients with high suicide risk served by the Philippine General Hospital – Child Protection Unit (PGH-CPU) started to increase in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and these complex cases continue to be seen by PGH-CPU. The mental health needs of children should be addressed, and suicidal ideations should be managed,” she said.
The APSB conference objectives are:
1.) The status of mental health in the country;
2.) Explaining the role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and other risk factors in the development of mental health conditions;
3.) Discussing the impact of stigma and discrimination around mental health conditions;
4.) Responding appropriately to the signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicide;
5.) Describing effective, evidence-based prevention, and interventions at different levels of care and settings;
6.) Reviewing online resources for patient education, self-care, and referrals;
7.) Discussing current capacity of the social service workforce to address the increasing mental health needs of children; and,
8.) Practicing self-care strategies that can be implemented in their own organizations.
“Ako Para Sa Bata is a continuing education for individuals and professionals in the frontline of child protection work,” said Katrina Legarda, Director of the National Network of Women and Children Protection Units of CPNF, said in a statement.
“With the support from UNICEF and Australian Aid, we are happy to offer it to everyone for free. We prepared seven sessions starting Oct. 5 until Nov. 22, 2023. We invite everyone to register at bit.ly/akoparasabata2023 and to join us on Zoom and Facebook, Kumu. The virtual gifts that the audience will be giving on the Kumu platform during the webinars will be donated by Kumu to the Child Protection Network Foundation,” Ms. Legarda explained.
“We have prepared seven sessions which will focus on mental health issues and concerns,” said Sandra S. Hernandez, Conference Chair of APSB 2023 and CPNF Research Director. “We will also share self-care strategies that can be implemented by the attendees in their own organizations.”
“Treatment of children seen at the PGH-Child Protection Unit who have experienced trauma has been very challenging during the pandemic,” said Dr. Norieta C. Balderrama, who is the conference’s Scientific Committee Chair and Head of Mental Health and Wellness at PGH-CPU.
“We had to utilize telepsychiatry aside from face-to-face therapies in the community. We have noted an increase in the children experiencing adverse childhood experiences in the home, school, and environment suffering from depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and related disorders. So, it is imperative that children, families, and communities are educated about the importance of mental health wellness during these difficult times. We must all join hands in addressing the mental health conditions of this generation,” said Dr. Balderrama.
The conference will have the following sessions:
1.) Mental Wellness of the Filipino Child;
2.) Addressing the Gaps in the Mental Health of the Filipino Child;
3.) Current Mental Health Concerns of the Filipino Child;
4.) Understanding Children’s Stress and Trauma;
5.) Understanding Anxiety in Children and Teens; and,
6.) Strengthening Systems of Care: Enhancing wellness for Youth and Caregivers.
Among the conference highlights are:
• “Mental Health and the Developing Brain,” a lecture by the distinguished Dr. Cornelio G. Banaag, who is considered the Father of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Philippines. He is a Professor Emeritus at the UP College of Medicine. The lecture will tackle the current state of mental health of the Filipino youth with statistics, the factors affecting youth mental health using the biopsychospiritual model, the mental health services that are currently available and government programs from the national to the barangay level, and help-seeking behaviors.
• “Addressing the Gaps in the Mental Health of the Filipino Child,” sessions that will focus on the gaps in the recognition and management of Mental, Neurologic and Substance Abuse (MNS) disorders. Among the learning outcomes of these sessions would be the knowledge of common mental illnesses of Filipino youth, the awareness of stigma and discrimination, and the management of mental health disorders.
• “The Epidemic of Loneliness in Children and Teens” and “Building Psycho Emotional Resilience among Children and Teens.”
• “Understanding Anxiety in Children and Teens,” which focuses on complex trauma in situations of abuse, exploitation, and armed conflict; the protection of children from online exploitation; identification of anxiety disorders: depression, self-injury, suicidality and substance abuse. A lecturer in this session is Ma. Lourdes “Honey” Carandang, PhD, Founder/Clinical Psychologist of the MLAC Institute for Psychological Services, Inc.
At the final session, UNICEF Country representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov and Faye Balanon, a child protection specialist, will speak.
Congratulations to all the dedicated organizers, lecturers, participants, partners and sponsors of Ako Para Sa Bata 2023 and the Child Protection Network Foundation for this very important and timely conference!
Interested parties can register online at bit.ly/akoparasabata2023.
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.
