Crafting a Mental

Health Advocacy
Program

DAN R. ILUIS
T-1 MAMBAGO INTEGRATED SCHOOL
 WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST
IN LIFE?
• Family
• Self
• Food
• Relationship
• Friends
• Loved ones
• Work
• Studies
 MENTAL HEALTH IN
DISASTERS
EFFECTS:
1. Normal Relationships

2. Basic needs are not meet

3. Psychological disturbances
NO ONE WHO
EXPERIENCES
A DISASTER.
KEY CONCEPTS:

GRIEF
LOSS
MOURNING
SELF-CARE
“Sa likod ng salitang
OK LANG NAMAN,
may nakatagong
“HAY, KUNG
ALAM NYO LANG”
 TREATMENT OF MOOD
DISORDERS & SUICIDE RISKS
• “…screening for suicidal COMBINED THERAPY
thoughts is essential in the
assessment process. Because of
a lack of awareness of risk and • May be more effective than
danger, accidental injury rates psychotherapy or
may be increased.” pharmacotherapy alone in the
treatment of depressive
- DSM episodes.
5-
 WHAT SUICIDE
RISK FACTORS ARE PRESENT?
Psychological disorders:
• Mood disorders
• Trauma & Stress related disorders
• Anxiety attacks (w/ stressor)
• Panic attacks (no apparent stressor)
Family history
Stressful life events
Neurobiology (wiring in the brain)

ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT
 3 ASPECTS SUICIDE RISK
ASSESSMENT AS BASIS FOR
INTERVENTION PLANNING:
1. Complete information about past, recent, and present suicidal
ideation and behavior.
2. Information about the student’s background and history.
3. Summarize information into a prevention-oriented suicide
risk intervention plan based on the student’s background.

• Aim not to predict which student might commit suicide but,

to do your best to reduce risk, increase safety, promote
wellness and recovery.
 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS
INSTITUTION’S
MISSION

STUDENT
NEEDS IMPLEMENTING:

PRIORITIES
& GOALS

ACTIVITIES
ANCHORING ON THE DEPED MISSION
 KEY POINTS FROM
DEPED’S MISSION STATEMENT
• Gender –sensitive, safe and Motivating environment
• Teachers facilitate learning
• Teachers constantly nurture every learner
• Administrators and staff ensure and enabling and supportive
environment…
• Stakeholders are actively engaged…
WHAT ARE THE
NEEDS
BASED ON
PROBLEMS
OBSERVED

IN YOUR
SCHOOL?
 WHERE TO BEGIN
CHOOSING PRIORITIES?
ASSESS for :
1. Suicidal desire (ideation, hopelessness,
burdensomeness, feeling trapped);
2. Suicidal capability (past attempts, high
anxiety and/or rage, available means);
3. Suicidal intent (available plan, expressed
intent to die, preparatory behavior)

If all three conditions are present, immediate

action is required.
 RESOURCES:
• Human resources:
• Teachers
WHAT • Mental Health
RESOURCES advocates
• Nurse
ARE • Doctor
AVAILABLE? • Peer facilitators
• Material resources
• Budget
Whether the person is hospitalized
or not, treatment aimed at
resolving underlying life stressors
and treating existing
psychological disorders should be
initiated immediately.
 REFERENCES
• Barlow, DH and Durand V. Abnormal Psychology: An
Integrative Approach, 2012
• Comer, RJ. Abnormal Psychology 2015
• Sammons and Schmidt. Combined Treatment for Mental
Disorder : a guide to Psychological Interventions.
• DSM -5
• https://zerosuicide.sprc.org/toolkit/identify/screening-and-
assessing-suicide-risk