Current situation and challenges for mental health focused on treatment and care in Japan and the Philippines - highlights of the training program by the National Center for Global Health and Medicine.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mental health has emerged as an important public health concern in recent years. With a high proportion of children and adolescents affected by mental disorders, it is important to ensure that they are provided with proper care and treatment. With the goal of sharing the activities and good practices on child and adolescent mental health promotion, care, and treatment in Japan and the Philippines, the National Center for Global Health and Medicine conducted a training program on the promotion of mental health focused on treatment and care in Japan and the Philippines in September and November 2019. KEY HIGHLIGHTS: The training program comprised of a series of lectures, site visits, and round table discussions in Japan and the Philippines. The lectures and site visits focused on the current situation of child and adolescent psychiatry, diagnosis of childhood mental disorders, abuse, health financing for mental disorders, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and disaster child psychiatry in both countries. Round table discussions provided an opportunity to explore the similarities and differences between the two countries in terms of the themes discussed during the lectures.The training program identified the need to collaborate with other professionals to improve the diagnosis of mental disorders in children and adolescents and to increase the workforce capable of addressing mental health issues among children and adolescents. It also emphasized the importance of cooperation between government efforts during and after disasters to ensure that affected children and their families are provided with the care and support that they need.

Long term effects of separation on the children of overseas contract workers

This study was undertaken to consider the impact of migration on the relationship between the OFW and the family. The general objectives was to determine the long-term effects of separation from the OFW parent on children in two selected barangays with specific objectives: (1) to determine the psychiatric morbidity among children; (2) to determine their behavioral patterns; (3) to describe the demographic data of the said population. The design of the study was a cross-sectional survey done in 2 barangays with a high density of OFWs. The Reporting Questionnaire for Children (RQC) which is an instrument designed to screen psychiatric disturbances in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age was used. A total 385 children took part in the study. Results showed that adaptive and maladaptive modes of coping were utilized by the children left behind by parents.

Profile of minor perpetrators of sexual abuse

This study looks at the demographic characteristics and psychiatric diagnoses of minor perpetrators of sexual abuse. Subjects of the study were all minor perpetrators seen at the Child Protection Unit of the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital from March 1997 to September 1998. Of the seventeen subjects seen by the psychiatrists of the unit, majority were in their adolescence (11-14 years) with 5-10 year of age difference from their victims. All were known to the victim as relatives, playmates or neighbors. One third of the minor perpetrators denied committing the abuse. Among those admitted the abuse, no common reason for the act was obtained. Majority of the perpetrators did not have an existing psychiatric disorder at the time of the abuse and majority attended school. Three of the seventeen minor perpetrators had conduct disorder with two having a co-existing mental retardation. Five of the seventeen had an adjustment disorder with depressed mood following the incident.