Legazpi City, Albay — From July 2 to 4, 2025, health workers from across Albay gathered at the Vela Hotel for an intensive training on the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP). The activity formed part of the Ka-ginhawa Project: Building Resilient Communities through Inclusive Mental Health, an initiative under the Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) supported by the Australian Government in collaboration with CBM Global Disability Inclusion and the Balik Kalipay Center for Psychosocial Response.

Designed for primary health care workers and other non-specialists, the training focused on the assessment, management, and follow-up of individuals with mental health conditions using the mhGAP framework. Sessions were facilitated by psychiatrists and neurologists with extensive expertise in community-based care, including Dr. Myra Dee L. Roces, Dr. Adolfo D. Solis, and Dr. Kathryn R. Beluso. Over the course of three days, participants not only strengthened their technical skills but also deepened their understanding of referral pathways, creating stronger connections between local health units, hospitals, and specialists.

The training underscored the urgent need for accessible and inclusive mental health care in the Bicol region. By equipping frontline providers with practical skills and linking them with a wider network of experts, the initiative laid the groundwork for more resilient and responsive community health systems.

Moving forward, the Ka-ginhawa team will conduct post-training support and supervision to reinforce learning and ensure that the mhGAP approach is effectively integrated into primary care services. The event also highlighted the growing commitment of rural, city, and provincial health units—together with the Department of Health—to advance mental health as an essential part of community well-being.