ABOUT
US
PMHA History
The idea of organizing a mental health movement
was initiated by Dr. Edward E. Krapf, a World Health Organization
consultant, during a meeting among civic leaders to assess the
mental health problems in the country brought about by World War
II. In January 15, 1950, the Philippine Mental Health Association
(PMHA) was formally organized with Dr. Manuel Arguelles as its
first President. The Association focused on providing mental health
services through the Child Guidance Clinic and educational programs
on mental health among college students. The office of the Association
was then located at the Methodist Social Center in Sampaloc, Manila.
In 1958, it moved to its present home at # 18 East Avenue, Quezon
City.
The Association has expanded its educational programs by organizing
mental health seminar workshops and leadership training among
the youth. Today, PMHA has organized mental health clubs in the
different public high schools and private colleges and universities
all over the country. Since 1951, it has continued to lead the
celebration of National Mental Health Week and World Mental Health
Day every 2nd week of October.
In 1960, the Association expanded its out-patient clinical services
to accommodate the needs of the adult mentally ill, emotionally
disturbed individuals and their families. The Clinical and Diagnostic
Services now provides neuro-psychiatric and psychological testing
services and other mental health services to all sectors of society.
In 1962, the PMHA launched its residential Rehabilitation Care
Services to provide the recovering mentally ill patients opportunities
to become productive members of their families prior to their
final reintegration to their communities. At present, the Work
Center operates an out-patient center which provides day care
services and vocational activities as well as psychosocial therapeutic
activities for persons with mental disabilities.
In 1958, PMHA organized its first provincial chapter in Cebu
City. To date, PMHA has nine chapters nationwide: Bacolod-Negros
Occidental, Baguio-Benguet, Cabanatuan-Nueva
Ecija, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Dagupan-Pangasinan, Davao, Dumaguete-Negros
Oriental and Lipa-Batangas.
In 1989, the PMHA Board of Trustees decided to put up a commercial
building along the East Avenue property and along V. Luna Road
on a Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) scheme. This is to generate
additional funding to support PMHA programs and operations and
become less dependent on contributions and donations. The lifeline
of the Association is in its host of volunteers from government
and non-government
organizations, who provide their leadership and expertise through
their membership to the National Board and its different standing
committees.
PMHA remains to be a formidable leader in the field of mental
health. It continues to strengthen its partnerships, both with
the government and non-government organizations, as well as with
the business sectors to achieve its goal of promoting sound mental
health for the Filipino people.
Vision
The Filipino people with the highest level of mental health.
Mission
To promote the advancement of mental health through advocacy, education,
prevention and best practice interventions for the Filipino people.
Goals
To promote mental health and prevent mental health disorders through
advocacy, education and information dissemination, and capability
building;
To provide best practice interventions for assessment, treatment
and rehabilitation that are multi-disciplinary, family-focused and
community- based;
To promote the conduct of research in mental health that will serve
as basis for policy and program development; and
To collaborate and build alliances with government and non-government
organization, local and international, for the advancement of mental
health.