However, because not all of the issues and concerns on the ground have a corresponding program with their stakeholders, their third activity under the program is a protection forum wherein CFSI themselves act as a bridge wherein they relay the concern on the ground to their stakeholders so they can accommodate these said concerns.
Lastly, because they firmly believe that information is still the best aid to awareness, CFSI also conducts information, education, and community drives mainly surrounding health as MCRP is a COVID response project.
It is because of these activities and the actions taken by their protection component that has allowed their psychosocial support competent to perform to their fullest potential. They catered to the elderly with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, as well as hypertension among other things, and these beneficiaries were able to avail of their services because of profiling which could not have been done without their security papers provided by their protection component.
They have also provided medical checkups as well as needed medication to their areas of coverage and have worked together with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government, the latter agreeing to provide psychotropic medication for the rural health units within their area of coverage.
However, stigma surrounding mental health is still present and while they offer psychosocial support, especially to children who suffer from developmental and intellectual disorders, there was still some pushback from parents who refused to even entertain the thought that their children might have these disorders.
After meeting with a psychiatrist and psychologist who confirmed that their children were qualified for the diagnoses, however, they were more willing to listen and more open to suggested courses of action.
CFSI was able to put 21 children with developmental and intellectual disorders through occupational therapy, but unfortunately, due to budget constraints, they were only able to sponsor 10 sessions for each patient as opposed to the 72 sessions recommended by their psychologist.
They worked closely with Medbay Therapy and Learning Center in Iligan City to cater to their neurodivergent beneficiaries and conducted a monthly parent-therapist meeting to update the parents on their child’s progress as well as allow them to ask questions regarding how to handle their children.
Where there was doubt and hesitation, now they held curiosity and genuine interest in their children’s well-being. Some parents would even take videotapes of the therapy sessions to act as guides for handling them at home.
Other hospitals and facilities they work with are Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Mindalano Specialist Hospital Foundation as well as Dr. Abdullah Hospital Foundation. While private hospitals are a little more expensive, they have the benefit of not having as much conflict with scheduling and it was easier to prioritize their beneficiaries which were composed of their chronically ill patients with asthma, hypertension, and the like.
As for their mental health patients, who suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and paranoia, they were referred to Dr. Sagge’s Clinic at the Iligan City Health Office. Despite not being residents of the city, their clients were given discounts and free medication whenever there was any available.
CFSI’s Psychosocial Support Officer, Amal Edres, expressed how important it is to offer understanding towards children with special needs, for if normally developed children struggle as they go through life, imagine what neurodivergent children have to go through. She called for compassion above all else, as this is something that the world—especially the world of children with special needs—desperately needs.
Protection Officer Mohammad Nassif Elias also told their recipients not to worry because CFSI is always working to solve any problems that come to their office. (PJF/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
