The primary program of the Association that implements the following advocacy programs:
PMHA CCI ORIENTATION
MENTAL HEALTH LECTURES/SEMINARS
The following are the lecture topics the Chapter provides:
- Caring for Your Mental Health
- Stress Management
- Self-Awareness
- Leadership and Team Building
- Other Mental Health topics
YOUTH LIFE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (YLEP)
To train the Filipino youth to be responsible leaders with a strong commitment to promote the cause of mental health in their own families, schools, and their respective communities.
History
The Youth Life Enrichment Program was introduced in the 70’s as a result of the Human Relations seminars conducted by the Philippine Mental Health Association through the different Chapters nationwide. These seminars focused on the human relation/ interpersonal relationship among adolescents and social issues affecting the youth.
The program’s over-all aim is to provide opportunities for personality development and enrichment among the youth. Moreover, it also aims to train the youth to become crusaders of mental health by helping them to be aware of themselves, their environment, and social issues pertinent to mental health and the development of their leadership skills.
In 1996, the YLEP was first implemented in PMHA Baguio-Benguet Chapter, Inc. (now PMHA Cordillera Chapter, Inc.) with the goal of training the youth as family facilitators. From then on it actively trained high school students become advocates of mental health. Year after year, the Chapter educated the youth on different issues pertinent to their needs. In 1998, the program focused on drug abuse prevention with the aim of encouraging the youth to refrain from using illegal drugs.
In 2001, YLEP concentrated on solid waste management emphasizing the salient role of the youth in taking care of the environment. In 2002 to 2004, the YLEP focused on training the youth as peer facilitators, and in 2006 participants were trained to become Youth as Family Facilitators. Eventually, from 2008 up to present, the YLEP has focused on training the youth as Mental Health Advocates.
How is YLEP Implemented?
The program is implemented through proper coordination with the Department of Education, heads of the different schools and in cooperation with the participating schools as well as the parents.
The PMHA then conducts the basic YLEP seminar after enlisting the support of these individuals and agencies. The topics in the said seminar vary and are designed to suit the needs of the youth.
One of the goal of the YLEP is to organize the Lakas Isipan Ng Kabataan (LINK) Club in the different schools. Thus, after the basic seminar, the participants are tasked to organize the LINK Club in their respective schools and to echo the said seminar.
CREATIVE APPROACH TO PARENTING (CAP)
To provide the participants alternatives or new approaches in parenting based on democratic principles – focusing on mutual respect and equality.
COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM (CBMHP)
Provide awareness about mental health and mental disorders at the community level through psychoeducation, skills building, and empowerment of health workers.
SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM
The chapter provides suicide prevention lecture modules with the following topics:
- Gatekeepers’ Guide to Suicide Prevention
- Tug of War with Pain
- Hope After Suicide for Those Left Behind
- Hope After Suicide for Survivors
TRI-MEDIA
- Brochures
- Mental Heath Posters
- Radio/TV Guesting