No abstract available.
Mental Health*

No abstract available.
Mental Health*

No abstract available.
Mental Health*

Mental health is an integral component to the formation of human capital performance. Human capital with high productivity is the key factor to the growth of a country. Thus, this study aims to investigate the relationship between the level of mental health of undergraduate students in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) with their performance. Mental health was measured using the General Health Questionnaire 12-item (GHQ-12) and the performance was based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). A total of 316 undergraduate students at UUM had answered questionnaires that were distributed. The data were analysed descriptively and the effect of the level of mental health on performance was tested using probit model. Based on GHQ-12, 48% respondents were found to have a good mental health status. A total of 67.21% of the students who obtain CGPA 3.67 and above have a good level of health compared with only 36.08% for those with CGPA under 3.67. Based on the probit model, the level of mental health was found to be significant at 1% level in influencing the CGPA. These findings provide indication to policy makers of the importance of mental health in influencing the students’ performance. Mental health education programs should be implemented or enhanced to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health state among students in higher education institution.
Mental Health

Background: The mental health and well-being of PhilHealth frontline workers were investigated to inform decision-makers and organizations in developing policies and programs to promote welfare of employees, thereby subsequently improving productivity and service delivery. Objectives: The study aimed to describe the demographic profile of participants and their level of mental health and well-being as well as to determine if a significant relationship exists between the said variables. Methodology: This is descriptive research that gathered respondents’ socio-demographic data. The target population was PhilHealth frontline workers all over the Philippines. Two existing self-report scales were used to measure the mental health and well-being of respondents. Statistical tools were then used to interpret data. Results: The majority of demographic factors were related to mild anxiety levels. The mean scores suggest that ages 20-29 are more anxious than those aged 50 and above. Other findings noted that the position title of Administrative Aide III and place of assignment in PhilHealth Regional Office II and XII showed a severe level of anxiety. Mean scores also showed mild anxiety as the length of years working in the corporation increased. In conclusion, age, years in service and place of assignment have a significant negative impact on participants’ mental health. Conclusion In conclusion, age, years in service and the place of assignment were the variables found to have a statistically recognizable impact on mental health and well-being of PhilHealth frontline workers. These findings were considered in proposing Mental Health Programs for PhilHealth employees.
Mental Health

Background: The seafarers' poor mental health has been associated with significant morbidity, inefficiency, and accidents on board. Mental and physical health is largely dependent on the way seafarers handle stressors.
Anchored on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study aimed to identify the typology of Filipino merchant marine ratings according to their coping strategies to stressors on board vessels.

Methods: Thirty-seven (37) Filipino merchant marine ratings participated in this study. They were chosen by purposive sampling. They rank-ordered 25 opinion statements on various stressors and coping mechanisms. The rank-ordered sorts were subjected to by-person factor analysis with Varimax rotation using the PQ Method version 2.32. The resulting factors were interpreted using the inductive approach, aided by the interview done after Q sorting.

Results: Four factors were generated: solution-focused seafarers, stressor-focused seafarers, self-management- focused seafarers, and the social milieu-focused seafarers. There is a consensus on the supplication-focused seafarers who ask for God's help in times of stress.

Conclusion: The generated typology provides a better understanding of seafarers' outlook on stress and coping and may help the stakeholders craft individualized strategies to help improve their coping mechanisms and overall mental health. Occupational health research must continue to focus on understanding the role of culture and adaptation on stress and coping behaviors to retain quality seafarers and promote a healthier workplace.

Currently, mental health issues are of greatest importance to society as it is considered to be a growing invisible pandemic. It is strongly suggested to address concerns in the field of neurology and psychiatry, especially at the community level. One of the most popular interventions that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends is to bring health promotion to the periphery. With this in mind, a public health campaign in one of the University of Santo Tomas Simbahayan partner communities, Kasiglahan Village Rodriguez, Rizal was born. This project aims to bring health awareness to the community, especially at the grassroots levels involving the municipal rural health unit, barangay health care workers and allied specialist stakeholders. They were taught symptom recognition, proper referral to specialists and prevention measures that the community may benefit from, which is much needed at this day and age. Further, this program can serve as a precursor to more public health initiatives regarding mental health in the community to spread awareness and aid in the prevention of mental health illnesses.

Background: Mental toughness is believed to be one of the key factors that may help resident physicians endure their training. Objective: Determine the mental toughness of resident physicians in a private tertiary hospital in Davao City, Philippines using the Mental Toughness Index. Methods: The researchers utilized the MTI and added open ended questions to identify positive and negative factors for the Resident’s MTI scores. The questionnaires were distributed to the residents using the online platform. The responses were recorded using the Likert scales and the short answers given were categorized as nominal data. Results: The study had 37 respondents out of 42 total residents with an over-all response rate of 88.09%. The survey showed that female residents have a significantly higher scores. Resident with the age of 31 years and above have greater scores than younger co-residents. The Departments of Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYNE) had the highest scores (50.4, SD, +/- 4.04 vs 50.4, SD, +/- 2.79) among all the clinical departments. The Department of Pediatrics had the lowest mean score of 43.67 (SD, +/- 4.39). The study showed that junior residents have the highest MTI mean scores (49, +/- 3.47) and the mid-level of trainees had the lowest mean MTI scores (46.10, SD +/- 3.51). Residents with previous residency training experience have higher mean scores (50.67, SD +/- 4.37). Support Group was the most cited positive factor identified by the trainees. On the other hand, Personal Reasons were the most frequent negative factor that affect their mental toughness. Conclusion The study showed female residents, residents aged greater than 31 years, Surgical and OB GYNE residents, Junior Residents and Residents with previous residency training have better MTI scores. Social support groups and personal reasons could positively and negatively impact in their mental toughness, respectively.
Mental Health

Objective: This study aimed to describe mental health practice patterns, perceptions, perceived responsibility, confidence, barriers, and supports of pediatric residents in a tertiary government hospital to arrive at recommendations in enhancing their mental health competencies. Methodology: As part of needs and baseline assessment within an existing collaboration, written self-administered questionnaires were distributed among pediatric residents of the hospital. Frequency of answers were tallied to see clustering and trends. RESULTS: Most of the 37 Pediatric residents had positive perceptions i.e. 78.83% - 83.78% and planned to incorporate all aspects mental healthcare in their future practice as consultants i.e. 89.19 %- 97.29 %. However, they did not get to practice or apply it as much during training. All respondents perceived that diagnosing the neurodevelopmental disorders of Autism Spectrum, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity, Intellectual Disability and Learning was their responsibility. When it came to confidence in diagnosing other psychiatric disorders less than half to 3/5 (45.9%- 64/9%) were confident or very confident in doing so. Approximately three fifths (56.75% -67.56%) of them were confident in managing neurodevelopmental disorders. There was an even lower proportion i.e. one fourth (16.21% - 32.43%) of pediatric residents who were confident in managing other psychiatric disorders. Time was the most often perceived barrier while more exposure and training were the supportive factors for integrating mental healthcare into practice. Conclusion With such positive perceptions already in place, programs to improve knowledge and skills can be developed to increase confidence, focusing on diagnosing and managing psychiatric conditions. Target areas as guided by this research can be on how to use screening tools and psychotropics, diagnosing anxiety and behavioral addictions, and managing psychosis and trauma. These should be incorporated in a time-efficient manner into usual patient interviews. Training and added exposure can be utilized in the short-term as well as institutionalization of collaboration, liaison, and feedback systems in the future.
Mental Health

On behalf of all of our Hawai‘i-based colleagueswith ties to the Philippines, we send warmgreetings and aloha to all. In this article, we aimto: 1) highlight the importance of understandingculture and history in optimizing individual andpopulational mental health and in addressingmental health disparities; 2) review studies fromHawai‘i investigating the potential role of acculturative stress in indigenous and immigrantpopulations; and 3) propose internationalcollaborations and friendships to understandand provide care for the people we serve.
Mental Health