CFSI is currently implementing the Community of Practice on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Project (COP–MHPSS Project) alongside the Ministry of Health (MOH) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in the province of Maguindanao. The COP-MHPSS generally aims to strengthen the advocacy campaign on Mental Health Awareness in every community, pursuant to Republic Act 11036, also known as the “Mental Health Act of 2018”. The Ministry of Health, the main implementing partner for this initiative, is committed to promoting individual advertence to mental well-being and reducing the prevalence of mental health issues among the populace through its dedicated Mental Health Unit. With its great relevance to the target population for this project, the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta was also made part of the training team to ensure the contextualization of the training and the modules to the context of BARMM.
In this regard, COP-MHPSS carried out the MHPSS Training for LGU Focal Points for 20 MHPSS Focal Points from the nine (9) LGUs in Maguindanao and two (2) representative of IPHO Maguindanao, adopting the MHPSS Harmonized Modules developed by the Department of Health (DOH) for the training and piloting of the Islamic Perspective of the modules. The 3-day training sessions aimed to support LGUs in integrating MHPSS programs and services within their regular community support and emergency response activities by developing their respective MHPSS response strategies, capacitating the MHPSS focal points on MHPSS, and advocating for the drafting and passing of the Municipal Resolution on MHPSS for sustainability.
A pool of local MHPSS responders representing the COP at the community level was formed during the training. These responders also drafted their respective Strategic Implementation Plan which will further be supported by the project through the provision of transportation and meals support for the implementation of their actual application of the training. The MHPSS referral mechanism approved by the MOH at the provincial-level was also discussed and presented to the participants with the aim of putting up a functional framework in efforts to respond effectively and efficiently to MHPSS-related concerns and issues. All of the participants, including the MOH partners, appreciated the training sessions for its relevance, especially the integration of Islamic Perspective, to the BARMM context. All of them were also grateful for the opportunity and support as it was their first time attending such training.
The COP-MHPSS is expected to run until December 2024 with support from The Equity Initiative and The China Medical Board.