14/10/2023
IPHO TAWI-TAWI CELEBRATES WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2023
Bongao, Tawi-Tawi – In recognizing the celebration of World Mental Health Day this October, the IPHO Tawi-Tawi joined by the representatives from Ministry of Health-BARMM, was inspirited by this year’s emphasis on Mental Health as a Universal Human Right by holding a multisectoral Mental Health Awareness Seminar, anchored with the theme of “Make Mental Health and Well-being for All, A Global Priority”, on October 13, 2023 at IPHO Conference Hall, Lamion, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The event was participated by representatives from different sectors in Tawi-Tawi, including the men-in uniform, local government units, government agencies, academe, public health workers, and others.
The event aimed to bring key stakeholders together to help raise mental health awareness; promote understanding and enable well-aligned partnerships among government, academe, health, and other sectors for the promotion of mental health and well-being.
The event was graced with a welcome message by the Provincial Health Officer II of IPHO, Dr. Sangkula G. Laja, underscoring the rationale of the conduct of the said event by bringing awareness to the crucial topic of mental health as well as to reduce stigma associated with mental health illnesses. He also shed light on the current state of mental health in the province and emphasized the existing services offered by the IPHO
Dr. Rowell Quiogue, Municipal Health Officer of RHU Panglima Sugala, who served as Resource Speaker, gave a brief presentation of basic concepts and keynotes about mental health.
Idris Jumianjang, Assistant Provincial Coordinator of MhGAP Program, explained the existing mental health referral pathways to identify individuals with mental health needs and connect these individuals with the appropriate mental health supports and services.
The event’s highlight was the Commitment Pledge, which was fulfilled by the participating sectors through signing up demonstrating their shared commitments to support mental health promotion. The event was motivated to create a collaborative platform where various sectors comes together to advance knowledge, advocate, raise awareness, and take concrete actions to expand and promote mental health programs and services for communities in Tawi-Tawi.
In her Closing Remarks, Elsa Pescadera, Chief of Technical Division, expressed her appreciation to the participating sectors for support in addressing the mental health issues in the province.