PMHA Sounds Alarm on Violence

In celebration of the 52nd National Mental Health Week and tenth World Mental Health Day, the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) held a conference on Trauma and Violence in Children and Adolescents: A Cause for Alarm October 11 to 12 at the PHMA Conference Hall.

    This event served not only as a forum to educate caregivers on mental health but also as an opporftunity to sound the alarm on problems involving trauma and violence in these "difficult circumstances."

    Said Dr. Brigida Buenaseda, PHMA treasurer and chair of the National Mental Health Week Celebration: "We know that you are aware of rampant violation of children's rights around the world and in our country. The association aims to take the challenge of doing the best we could to prevent and fight the prevalence of violence and trauma, and provide intervention as quick as possible." She said the PHMA hopes to help people understand these conditions affecting children so they could do their share in "being advocates of love, care, and nurture for children, and help create a peaceful world."

    Keynoting the meeting, former Civil Service Commissioner Corazon Alma de Leon, told participants that "our concern for our children should be non-negotiable," adding that the conference should serve as a wake up call for all Filipinos to help address the plight of Filipino children. Dr. Lourdes Carandang, a clinical psychologist, discussed the consequences of trauma in children and their families. Dr. Leticia Penano-Ho presented her vision of "A World Fit for Children."

    The PMHA gave the office of the city treasurer of Manila the award for Best Practice of Mental Health in the Workplace. Miles Dumalagan, MD