2020 and 2021 web-based training program on children's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 adversely affected mental health care and service delivery globally. Continuing its thrust on improving child and adolescent mental health, the National Center for Global Health and Medicine conducted a training program in collaboration with the University of the Ryukyus, University of the Philippines Manila, the National Center for Mental Health, and the Philippine Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 2020 and 2021 to discuss the situation, challenges, and good practices in mental health treatment, care, and promotion for children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Composed of 15 on-demand lectures and a webinar on three general mental health themes, the training identified the need for strengthening the provision of care not only in specialized health facilities but also in empowering communities in addressing children and adolescent mental health concerns. Collaboration between different stakeholders is needed to ensure child and adolescent well-being during public health emergencies.