People have only recently begun to recognize the importance of mental well-being, particularly in the context of young individuals. One of the most alarming recent statistics reveals a high prevalence of mental health issues among Filipino children, affecting 10 to 15 percent of those aged five to 15. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that, in the year preceding the 2015 Global School-based Student Health survey, 16.8 percent of Filipino students aged 13 to 17 had attempted suicide.

This dire situation highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions. In response to these challenges, Unilab, through its corporate foundation, Unilab Foundation, is taking significant steps to contribute to the improvement of mental health for those who need it. Heads Up PH serves as the mental health and well-being arm of Unilab Foundation, with a primary focus on enhancing the knowledge of school personnel regarding mental health and suicide prevention.

Recognizing the urgency to take action, Heads Up PH's advocacy centers around providing a holistic approach to create a culture where mental health and well-being are accessible to every Filipino.

"These issues have long existed and we are fortunate to have access to information in this day and age. It is Heads Up PH's goal to communicate scientific and evidence-based information to the community, especially the youth who may either be at risk or can be a force multiplier in spreading awareness through their family, peers, and communities," said Lilibeth Aristorenas, Executive Director of Unilab Foundation.

Addressing mental health as a community

The program enables community-based discussions that promote information about different mental health issues and how to address them. More than just employing the expertise of psychiatrists and health professionals, the approach also greatly involves members of the community, as they are crucial in supporting persons undergoing mental health struggles. Comprehensive training, symposiums, and targeted activities are provided to different age groups and members of the community.

Heads Up PH's programs have connected goals, made possible by partnerships that push for the same advocacy of breaking the stigma about mental health, and making tangible actions to help the youth who are fighting these battles. These programs not only target youth of elementary to secondary school age, but also tertiary students.

Guided by the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support framework, Heads Up PH partners with like-minded individuals to provide capacity-building for school personnel and the youth. This enables them to tackle mental health through improved knowledge, services, and protocols.

#MindYourHealth is a program that empowers local government units to address mental health needs of communities through youth engagement.

Teaching caregivers about suicide prevention

Another program, Race Against Suicide, has been co-developed by Unilab Foundation in collaboration with a council of mental health experts. This program introduces an evidence-based mental health intervention toolkit designed to provide a more comprehensive approach to suicide prevention and mental health wellness in schools. The training program equips teachers with the knowledge and skills to efficiently identify and refer individuals at risk of suicide, covering risk assessment and referral.

Importantly, the toolkit has undergone peer review by leading mental health professional associations, including the Philippine Association of Psychologists, the Philippine Psychiatrists Association, the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Philippine Pediatric Society. This reflects a collaborative effort to address this pressing issue.

The manual is authored by experts such as Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson, a registered Guidance Counselor and Psychologist, and Dr. Kenneth Ross Javate, a medical doctor specializing in Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatry. At the end of the training, participants are empowered to integrate the RACE Toolkit into their schools and practice, with some aiming to adapt it for community-based use further.

Coming together for lasting change

These efforts are continuously carried out and monitored in various schools and communities because the Unilab Foundation believes that interventions are an ongoing process that requires patience and constant improvement, aimed at benefiting individuals and communities. The Unilab Foundation aspires to eliminate the stigma surrounding open discussions of mental health. Fostering open conversations on this topic is just one facet of their comprehensive approach. Through research, capacity-building, strategic partnerships, and policy advocacy, Heads Up PH has established itself as a leader in the field of mental health.

Across all Heads Up PH programs, over 950 teachers and 80 guidance counselors have participated in the training. Cumulatively, more than 22,000 students in various schools have engaged in mental health and well-being activities, both online and offline. Heads Up PH has also made a free toolkit available, specifically targeting young people, focusing on developing their 10 essential well-being areas to help them build and maintain healthy coping mechanisms through evidence-based and practical activities, thereby enhancing their resilience during times of crisis.

Heads Up PH has made leaps in bringing the importance of mental health to the forefront of Filipino society but only by working together. Its efforts highlight the significance of cooperation between the private sector, mental health professionals, educational institutions, local government units, and the communities themselves in addressing mental health risks in the youth. With these initiatives, there is hope for a brighter and mentally healthier future for Filipino youth and the nation as a whole.

Do you want to partner with Heads Up PH or be part of a growing number of volunteers?

Heads Up PH is continuously reaching out to Filipinos and institutions to create a ripple effect that effectively addresses the issues on mental health from the grassroots level. Should you or your organization be part of this movement, visit Heads Up PH's website and sign up.

Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing crisis, call the National Mental Health Crisis numbers: Globe/TM: 0966-351-4518, 0917-899-8727 and Smart/Sun/TNT: 0908-639-2672.