Masalunga, M. C. (2016). Management of mental health conditions by developing a community-based action in Coron, Palawan (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management Health Systems and Development Batch 6 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

Mental health is an important aspect of a person's well-being; however, there has been little focus on this area due to the absence of a well-established mental health program. About 1% of the population is expected to suffer from mental health illness, but it remains underreported due to the stigma associated mental health conditions through the development of a community-based action program in Coron, Palawan. The study aimed to establish the prevalence of mental illness in the municipality, identify factors that contribute to the stigma and underreporting of mental illness, and identify interventions to address mental health concerns. Documents analyses, field observation, interview with key informants, and focus group discussions were done in the course of this action plan and project. Document analyses revealed that there was a tendency among health care providers to focus on psychotic and seizure disorders, prior to the implementation of the community-based program; more distinct disorders were included in the rural health unit census as the program is being implemented. Culture is the main contributing factor to the stigma of mental illness. Underreporting is a result of the stratification of perceptions among the different groups who were included in the study: the general population sees mental health as wellness of daily living, volunteer health workers seemental health as non-usage of illegal drugs, and medical and allied health professionals view mental heath in light of classical mental and neurological disorders. From these perceptions, interventions were proposed and implemented, including participation of RHU staff in capacity-building activities, allotment of budget for drug screening kits and psychotropic medicines, conduct of family and youth development sessions, field visits, and designation of Friday afternoons for mental health services, The findings of this study can be used as basis in the implementation of mental health programs in other communities, and further research on improvement of the quality of life may be done to fully assess its impact.