Empathy in Action: Malasakit Approach for Refugee Mental Health and Psychospiritual Support
2024; Slack Incorporated (United States); Volume: 62; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês
10.3928/02793695-20241112-02
ISSN1938-2413
AutoresDanilo V. Rogayan, Zenvi Ann M. Macalinao,
Tópico(s)Migration, Health and Trauma
ResumoLetters to the Editor freeEmpathy in Action: Malasakit Approach for Refugee Mental Health and Psychospiritual Supportis letter commenting on ARTICLEMental Health Needs of Asian American Older Adults: Bridging the Inequity Gapis a letter which has replyReply: Empathy in Action: Malasakit Approach for Refugee Mental Health and Psychospiritual Support Danilo V. Rogayan Jr., LPT, MA, , LPT, MA Zenvi Ann M. Macalinao, PhD, , PhD Danilo V. Rogayan Jr., LPT, MA E-mail Address: [email protected] and Zenvi Ann M. Macalinao, PhD Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 2024;62(12):5–6Cite this articlePublished Online:December 01, 2024https://doi.org/10.3928/02793695-20241112-02 PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookxLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreTo the Editor:The article, "Mental Health Needs of Asian American Older Adults: Bridging the Inequity Gap" by Paun and Kim (2024), which was published in the July 2024 issue of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, highlighted that there is a pressing need for a mental health care workforce that is culturally sensitive and competent, along with interventions that are tailored to specific cultural needs and incorporate family involvement. The mental health crisis facing Rohingya refugees in Aceh, Indonesia, is a pressing humanitarian concern that demands immediate and effective intervention. As Pohan et al. (2024) rightly highlight, these refugees endure grave psychological and emotional distress due to their displacement, compounded by the trauma of conflict and persecution. Addressing these issues through psychospiritual interventions offers a path forward that not only aligns with their cultural and spiritual needs but also promotes social integration and community resilience. The Malasakit approach, rooted in Filipino cultural values, provides a compelling model for such interventions, emphasizing empathy and holistic care in support of expatriates.The concept of Malasakit translates to a form of empathy that extends beyond mere concern and embodies a reflective sense of shared suffering to alleviating others' burdens. This approach has long been demonstrated by the Philippines in its humanitarian actions, particularly in its strong tradition of welcoming refugees (Lê Espiritu & Ruanto-Ramirez, 2020; Peñamante, 2017).The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has lauded the country for its commitment to accepting refugees, which former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr. described as an obligation rooted in "caring to the point of sharing the pain"—a testament to the nation's dedication to the well-being of displaced individuals (UNHCR Philippines, 2020, para. 2).Historically, the Philippines has embraced refugees across various waves, even before becoming a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention (UNHCR Philippines, 2020). Starting with the first wave in 1923, when the country welcomed approximately 800 White Russian individuals, and continuing through successive waves, including the reception of Jewish refugees, Spanish Republicans, Chinese immigrants, and Vietnamese refugees, the Philippines has consistently opened its doors to those fleeing war and persecution (Peñamante, 2017; Sunga, 2021). In recent years, the country has continued this legacy by welcoming Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in 2022, along with expressing willingness to accept other displaced populations from crisis regions, such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine (ABS-CBN News, 2023).The aim of the Malasakit approach is to provide refugees with mental health and psychospiritual support that is culturally sensitive and holistic. This approach recognizes that refugees' emotional and psychological struggles are intertwined with their spiritual and cultural identities. To effectively implement this approach, we propose several policy recommendations. First, mental health programs for refugees must incorporate ethnically relevant psychospiritual practices that align with refugees' beliefs and traditions. These practices can include faith-based counseling, communal rituals, and the provision of safe spaces for spiritual reflection. Second, training health care and social service providers in culturally competent care is essential to ensure respectful and responsive support services. Third, building partnerships between government and non-governmental organizations can enhance the delivery of integrated services, including education, employment, and community engagement opportunities that promote social inclusion. Finally, advocating for the protection of refugees' rights and their access to mental health services should be a priority at national and international levels.As a model of empathy in action, the Malasakit approach—grounded in the historical context of compassion—serves as a powerful reminder that caring for others, in the truest sense, involves sharing in their pain and working tirelessly to alleviate it.Danilo V. Rogayan, Jr., LPT, MAZenvi Ann M. Macalinao, PhDCollege of Teacher Education andGraduate SchoolPresident Ramon MagsaysayState UniversityIba, ZambalesPhilippines danrogayan@prmsu.edu.phABS-CBN News. (2023, June 20). Nine waves of refugees in the Philippines. https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/multimedia/infographic/06/20/23/9-waves-of-refugees-in-the-philippines > Google ScholarLê Espiritu Y., & Ruanto-Ramirez J. A. (2020). The Philippine refugee processing center: The relational displacements of Vietnamese refugees and the Indigenous Aetas. Verge: Studies in Global Asias, 6(1), 118–141. https://escholarship.org/content/qt152912sj/qt152912sj.pdf > CrossrefGoogle ScholarPaun O., & Kim H. (2024). Mental health needs of Asian American older adults: Bridging the inequity gap. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(7), 11–15. 10.3928/02793695-20240620-01 PMID:38976856 > LinkGoogle ScholarPeñamante L. (2017, June 7). Nine waves of refugees in the Philippines. UNHCR Philippines. https://www.unhcr.org/ph/11886-9wavesrefugees.html > Google ScholarPohan R. A., Khadijah K., & Saputra R. (2024). Building equality: Psychospiritual interventions for Rohingya refugees in Aceh. Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication. 10.1093/pubmed/fdae185 > CrossrefGoogle ScholarSunga T. M. (2021). The refugee archipelago? Political responses in the Philippines to forced migration in the twentieth century[Doctoral thesis, The University of Manchester]. https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/194688610/FULL_TEXT.PDFUNHCR > Google ScholarUNHCR Philippines. (2020, October 23). Philippines extends "Malasakit" for Rohingya. https://www.unhcr.org/ph/21255-philippines-extends-malasakit-for-rohingya.html > Google Scholar Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesMental Health Needs of Asian American Older Adults: Bridging the Inequity GapJuly 01, 2024Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health ServicesReply: Empathy in Action: Malasakit Approach for Refugee Mental Health and Psychospiritual SupportDecember 01, 2024Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services Request Permissions InformationCopyright 2024, SLACK IncorporatedPDF download • 66.8 KBdanrogayan@prmsu.edu.phDisclosure: The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. Published online12/01/24
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