Want to be a Mental Health First Responder?

Mental health is a growing concern in the Philippines. It affects everyone, from employees who secretly suffer from it to entrepreneurs who everyone thinks are living an awesome life.

According to the World Health Organization, only 3% of government spending worldwide goes into public mental healthcare, so those who can't afford regular rates often leave their conditions untreated. 

I'm talking about this once again since I have seen others and also I myself have experienced some form of mental health concern in the past. In my own way, I want to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health which can further add to the struggles of people who suffer from various mental health conditions.

With that, there are Mental Health First Response Trainings that are being launched across the Philippines in order to assist Filipinos to intervene when someone is having a mental health crisis or facing mental health concerns. Perhaps you are interested in learning as well as contributing towards this advocacy by attending such workshops?

What is the Mental Health First Response Training?

​Mental Health First Response is a mental health crisis skills prevention & intervention workshop for Filipinos (general public) who want to gain valuable skills in mental health concerns and suicide intervention.

​This training program will assist Filipino adults or anyone to intervene with someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis and/or other mental health conditions that may or may not be a crisis situation. The goal is to train participants and prepare them to:

• Recognize the sign of emotional distress.
• Apply universal mental health crisis intervention to prevent suicide.
• Learn to E.S.T.I.M.A.T.E. © – to judge and calculate the current situation in  order to save lives. E.S.T.I.M.A.T.E  is the core skill learned in the Mental Health First Response training.
• Disarm any potential weapons and recognize safety of the person and the mental health first responder.
• Screen for co-occurring disorders and other mental health concerns.
• Inquire about the person’s support system.
• Refer to a more qualified professional.
• Encourage continued self-care.

If you are interested in hosting the Mental Health First Response training at your school, university, worksite, or another venue, ​please email info@mhfirstresponse.org or via https://www.mhfirstresponse.org/

You maybe interested to read the mental health topics I have created in various formats previously from different perspectives and mediums (print, blog, video and podcasts), as shown below.

Print/Digital:
Talking about mental health in the Philippines
What to do with the costs of mental health at work
Entrepreneurs are vulnerable to mental health issues
Counseling and psychotherapy with MindPro Psychological Services

Podcasts - via >> spotify:
A Perspective on dealing with Anxiety and Panic Attacks with Aldrin Suan
How to be friends with someone that has anxiety & depression with Dannea Moneva
Mental health stories, Ex’s and Oh’s with Jullian Sibi & Johanna Marie Frejoles
Overcoming depression through faith, finding purpose & read out loud with Mark Razonable

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