PARADIGM IN MENTAL HEALTH ACT

HPAD Community Mental Health

In lieu of the Mental Health Act of

2017, here is our paradigm in assessing the
proposed law. With this, we believe that it
must cover the concept presented above. In
this paradigm, as we can see it has four levels
presented by an increasing size of circle
being the smallest circle in the inner most
this shows the progression as it goes
outward. This increasing size of the circle
namely; individual, family, community and
society, these are the areas or clientele that
programs under the proposed law should
take in consideration and focus to maximized
it. Then, the triangle presents the healthcare
approaches that are the foundation in any
programs under the Mental Health namely;
prevention, promotion and treatment.

Inside each circle there are concepts that are concerns in each level. In individual, it should include
the health status, substance abuse, coping, insight, resiliency and self-concept. In family, it should include
issues like income, resiliency, relationship, composition and parenting. Around community, issues like
information dissemination, recreation, support system, rehabilitation, school, social network and crisis
intervention. Around the society and government, the national programs should allow the following to be
guided like political will, rehabilitation, capacity building, acceptance and policies and legislation.

It is also notice that a line intercepts the four levels and that is collaboration. It is because these
concepts and/or programs under this will not be in working without the collaboration of different
organizations, professionals, influential persons and as well as each individual. Mental Health is not only
a priority of a sick person but also a healthy individual because health is not complete without mental
health.

As a whole the Mental Health Act of 2017, is a good start in properly establishing a body in the
focus of Mental Health. Policies are good but as long as persons inside it will not functions as a whole.

Prepared by:

Valera, James Patrick

Torres, Mary Carol

Serrano, Ruel

Gonzales, Joanne