1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

According to the WHO (Worlds Health Organization), mental health

is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or

her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work

productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or

her community.1

The word “Mental health” is sometimes misunderstood and

interpreted as referring to mental health-ill. This may be because

historically ‘mental health services’ were mainly concerned with the

treatment of mental illness. However, mental health is a desirable quality

in its own right and is more than the absence of illness.2

People with mental illness are considered violent, dangerous, and

aggressive which in turn increases the social distance.3 But not all violent

people have mental disorder.4 Disturbed behaviors manifested by

1WHO (August 2014) “Mental Health: A State of Well-being”. Retrieved form

https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

2Retrieved from https://everymind.org.au/mental-health/understanding-mental-

health[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

3C. Lauber & W. Rossler (June 02, 2006) “Stigma towards people with mental illness in
developing countries in Asia”. Retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09540260701278903?journalCode=iirp20[Access
ed 2nd June 2019]

4Retrieved from https://everymind.org.au/mental-health/understanding-mental-

health/mental-health-key-facts[Accessed 2nd June 2019]
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people with severe mental illness are more easily recognized, however

the public could not easily distinguish this from the more and milder

disorders.5

According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (or

IASP), three thousand people die every day by suicide because of

mental illness especially depression.6 Half of the mental illness begins by

the age of 14 years old.7

In 2015 WHO conducted a school based survey in the Philippines

about suicide because of mental illness and concluded that among

8,761 students from grade 7-9, 11.6% among 13 to 17 years olds

considered suicide and 16.8% among 13 to 17 years old attempted

suicide.8 In January 17, 2019 the DOH issued a statement that in the

Philippines, 3.3 million Filipinos suffer from depressive disorders, with

suicide rates in 2.5 males and 1.7 males per 100,000. 9

5Chee Hong (June 1, 1997). "The Stigma of Mental Illness in Asian Cultures". Retrieved from
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3109/00048679709073848[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

6S. De Guzman (August 27, 2017) “Mental Health of Filipinos today”. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/08/27/1846128/mental-health-filipinos-today[Accessed
2nd June 2019]

7Retrieved from https://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-

day/2018/en/[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

8S. Tomacruz (September 11, 2018) “A Cry for Help: Mental illness, suicide cases rising among
youth”. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/211671-suicide-cases-
mental-health-illness-youth-rising-philippines[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

9Philstar (January 17, 2019) “DOH: It’s time to talk about, address depression”. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/17/1885890/doh-its-time-talk-about-address-
depression[Accessed 2nd June 2019]
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According to the article issued by Sarwell Meniano on October 16,

2018. Mental disorder cases in Eastern Visayas are alarming, DOH Eastern

Visayas director Minerva Molon said, about 60 percent of those who

sought consultations in government clinics about mental illness in the

recent years are males who are adolescent until 60 years old. Molon said

that they are concerned because most of those suffering from mental

disorder are breadwinners of their families.10

In the Philippines there are 112 entries of Mental Health Care Facilities

and most of them are in the Luzon. And there are only one entry of

Mental Health Care Facility in Eastern Visayas which is the Saving Lives

at a Common Ground (SALAG) Treatment and Rehabilitation Center

which is located at Dulag, Leyte.11

1.2 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The lack of Mental Health facility here in Tacloban city with efficient

and integrated design is a challenge to provide such kind of health

facility. One that ensures to provide proper treatment, care and

rehabilitation of the mentally-ill and emotionally-ill disturbed people.

Specifically this study aims to:

10S. Meniano (October 16, 2018) “Eastern Visayas mental disorder cases alarming: DOH”.
Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1051175[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

11 Retrieved from https://www.webbline.com/mental-health/[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

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1.To identify the different kinds of activities, amenities and space

requirements of mental health facility to ensure comfort of the users.

2. To determine and select the most suitable site for the facility.

3.To identify the different design solution and sustainable design

strategies in order to produce a resilient and sustainable mental health

facility.

4. To utilize a treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems

through Architecture.

5. To provide intensive care to those with more severe cases.

6. To promote an advocacy on the importance of prioritizing mental health facilities.

7. To strengthen the development of mental health systems in the region.

8. To improve mental health care of the people in the region.

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study may be beneficial to the following:

To the Local Government, this study may help the local

government as a source of reference in conducting a subsequent

related to the study. The local government can also use this study as a

guide on designing and planning a mental health facility.

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To the Students and Researches, this study can serve as reference

point for the students or researchers conducting similar study about

planning and designing a mental health facility.

To the Architects, Designers, and Planners, this study may be

beneficial to those who are in the design and planning industry. This

mental health facility will promote seismic protection system and

sustainable strategies which can encourage the Architects, Designers,

and Planners to use or adapt.

To the Business Investors, this can help the investors as a guide or

reference to those who are interested in establishing a business about

mental health cares or facility.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is to generate a design and plan for the

mental health facility that ensures comfort, satisfaction, safety and

security and of the users. This study will incorporate design criteria’s and

planning considerations for mental health facility, seismic protections

systems and sustainable designs and strategies. Data gathering will be

limited to the references that can be found on books, articles and

literatures which is related to the study this can be done through library

research and electronic research.

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1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are defined in order to ensure better understanding

of the ideas being discussed in this study:

World Health Organization – is a specialized agency of the United

Nations that is concerned with international public health.12

Mental Health – is defined as the level of psychological well-being or

an absence of mental illness. It is the state of someone who is

"functioning at a satisfactory level of emotional and behavioral

adjustment.13

Mental Health Services – are defined as "assessment, diagnosis,

treatment or counseling in a professional relationship to assist an

12Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization [Accessed 2nd June

2019]

13 Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

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individual or group in alleviating mental or emotional illness,

symptoms, conditions or disorders."14

Mental Illness – Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental health

conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior.

Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders,

schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.15

Depression – Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical

depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe

symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities,

such as sleeping, eating, or working. 16

Mental Health Facility – means any licensed private hospital or

hospital affiliate, institution, or facility, or part thereof, and

any facility, or part thereof, operated by the State or a political

subdivision thereof which provide treatment of persons with mental

illness.17

14Retrieved from https://www.bcm.edu/pdf/e_mentalhealth_release9.12.05.pdf[Accessed 2nd

June 2019]

15Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-

causes/syc-20374968[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

16Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml[Accessed

2nd June 2019]

17 Retrieved from www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=71910[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

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PART 2

REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE

This part provides an overview of laws and previous research

studies which may contribute in enhancing the proposed project. The

purpose of this part is to review some literature and to scoop out

information that may be a guideline for the proposed study.

2.0 RELATED READINGS

2.1 National building code of the Philippines (PD 1096) this law will help

the researchers to identify what kind of classification the proposed

project is and help the researchers to plan an organized space in

accordance to its minimum and maximum standards and for the space

syntax on how will it be utilized.

2.1.1 Section 1201 of Chapter 12 GENERAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

REQUIREMENTS

In this article all matters about the structural design of the building

shall conform with the provisions of the National Structural Code of

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Buildings pursuant to the RA no. 44 or Civil Engineering Law, this is to

assure that the building conforms to the standards being implemented

by the National building code and to assure the structural stability of the

building.

2.1.2 Section 1202 of Chapter 12

In this article it includes the nonstructural side of the building including

the tile, metal, plastic, glass or other similar materials attached to a

structural component of the building. This is to assure that the veneer

shall not support no load than its own weight that could pose a problem

for the structural elements.

2.1.3 Section 1204 of Chapter 12

In this article it addresses the vertical openings of the building,

Vertical openings shall be enclosed depending on the fire-resistive

requirements of a particular structure, Vertical openings such as elevator

enclosures, shafts, ducts, chutes. This is to ensure that these openings are

fire resistive and can operate without any problems especially that some

structures that are in need of vertical openings.

2.1.4 Section 1205, 1206 of Chapter 12

In this article it tackles about roof coverings and construction, Roof

coverings for all buildings shall be either fire-retardant or ordinary, it

depends on the fire-resistive requirements of the particular type of

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construction, it also includes roof trusses and roof drainage system to

ensure that the structure’s roofing system conforms to the code and will

be structurally stable in times of natural calamities, to also ensure that

there is a proper flow of water on the roofing to avoid clogs and leaks.

2.1.5 Section 1207 of Chapter 12

In this article it addresses about the stairs, exits, and occupant

loads of the building, this is to ensure that the structures conform to the

occupant load and requirement of building. This article is important in

design in a way that a structure has proper wayfinding and access for

all variety of users from young to adult, and to ensure their safety.

2.2 BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.344

This states the mobility of institution, structures, and public, to utilize

for disable person by following the given standards which will be used in

the study.

2.2.1 OUTSIDE AND AROUND THE BUILDING

1. Dropped Curbs

Dropped curbs shall be provided in level walkways for pedestrian

crossings and for PWDs in particular for an easier passage especially for

PWDs that uses wheelchair.

2. Walkways and Passageways

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Walkways are essential not only for pedestrians but also for PWDs,

to provide better clearance and ease of access, it is a requirement to

follow these standards to allow better access and wayfinding for all

users.

3. Handrails

Handrail is requirement in construction to assure that disabled

people have an access for them in order for them to participate fully in

the social life, it also serves as their protection for walking. It is also one of

the requirement stated in the law.

4. Open spaces

Open spaces are one of the requirements stated in BP 344, though

it might be disorienting for some PWDs but it is essential to also allow

vegetation to grow, and open spaces also help to define edges which

provides texture different from the path.

5. Signages

Signages is one of the requirements stated in BP344 it is used as a

informational sign for PWD and non-PWDs, signs should be kept simple

and easily understood. Signages should also be in contrasting colors,

Signs and symbols should also be located in a certain height that is

stated in BP344.

6. Parking areas
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Parking areas for a building should have a provision for the

disabled to transfer from a wheelchair to a vehicle or vice-versa. Parking

area should also be located as close to the building as possible.

Pavement markings should also be present, and should conform the

minimum standard requirements stated in BP344.

2.2.2 INSIDE BUILDING AND STRUCTURES

1. Entrances

Stated in BP344 entrances should be accessible from arrival and

departure points to the interior lobby. If necessary for an elevator,

entrance level should be accessible.

2. Ramps

Stated in BP344 changes in level of any building requires a ramp

except when served with an elevator or other mechanical device. But

in some cases both are required especially when dealing with power

outages, stated in BP344 are the standard dimensions of ramps.

3. Doors

Stated in BP344 are the minimum standard requirements for

doors/openings and standard heights for doorknobs and handles, Doors

along major circulation routes should be provided with kick plates.

4. Corridors
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Corridors stated in BP344 requires turnabout spaces on dead ends

especially for PWDs using wheelchairs, Minimum standard requirements

are stated in BP344.

5. Washrooms and Toilets

For public washrooms and toilets shall permit easy passage of a

wheelchair and allows occupants to enter a stall, also stated in BP344

are the minimum sizes and dimensions.

2.3 TIME SAVER STANDARDS FOR BUILDING TYPES

The design and construction of the physical plant should be

appropriate to the type of services it houses, to the staffing and

organizational pattern of the facility, and to local geography and style.

It will, be unique for each facility, but it must be safe and must make a

positive contribution to the efficient attainment of the facility's goals.

It must satisfy the physiological as well as the psychological needs of

patients and staff. Sleeping units for patients are designed to promote

comfort and dignity and to ensure privacy of patients.

2.4 SPATIAL NEEDS OF PROGRAM ELEMENTS

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Design of all spaces should be noninstitutionalized, these areas

stated are derived from the book and should be used in designing this

type building in order for the building to be feasible and be effective.

2.5 RESEARCH LITERATURE

Outpatient or Day Treatment Mental Health Facilities

The vast majority of mental health facilities fall into this category

and are privately owned. These types of mental health facilities offer day

programs where a person may visit the facility for treatment. Treatment

at these facilities often includes medication management, group

therapy, individual therapy and classes that teach skills to be used in

dealing with a mental illness. Day treatment facilities, as the name

implies, do not have patients stay overnight and so are suitable for

people who have already stabilized their mental health condition. A day

treatment program may be what a person enters into after leaving an

inpatient psychiatric facility.18

Separate Inpatient Units of a General Hospital

The second most common type of mental health facility is a

separate inpatient unit of a general hospital. Many regions aren't big

enough for separate mental health facilities and so combine them with

their general healthcare facility. These inpatient units are where mental

health emergencies are handled – such as a person who is floridly

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psychotic. Stays are typically short-term and are used to stabilize a

mental health condition. 18

Residential Mental Health Treatment Facility for Children or Adults

About 8.4% of mental health facilities in the United States are

residential facilities for adults and about 7.5% are residential facilities

for children's mental illness treatment needs. Residential treatment

centers tend to be private mental health facilities. Treatments here vary

widely from equine treatment to exercise to therapy to psychotropic

medication (Alternative Approaches to Mental Health Treatment). These

are typically long-term mental health facilities.18

This will be the basis of the researcher to how they will consider the

hindrances in planning to make the spaces more comfortable and

applicable for the users.18

World Health Organization 2015

Effective treatments and interventions that are also cost-effective

are now readily available. It is therefore time to overcome barriers and

work together in a joint effort to narrow the gap between what needs to

18
Tracy N. (October 15, 2015) “Types of mental health facilities, Healthy place”. Retrieved from

https://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/mental-illness-overview/types-of-mental-health-

facilities[Accessed 2nd June 2019]

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be done and what is actually being done, between the burden of

mental disorders and the resources being used to address this problem.

Closing the gap is a clear obligation not only for the World Health

Organization, but also for governments, aid and development agencies,

foundations, research institutions and the business community.19

• As many as 450 million people suffer from a mental or behavioral

disorder.

• Nearly 1 million people commit suicide every year.

• Four of the six leading causes of years lived with disability are due to

neuropsychiatric disorders (depression, alcohol-use disorders,

schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).

• One in four families has at least one member with a mental disorder.

Family members are often the primary caregivers of people with mental

disorders. The extent of the burden of mental disorders on family

members is difficult to assess and quantify, and is consequently often

ignored. However, it does have a significant impact on the family’s

quality of life.

• In addition to the health and social costs, those suffering from mental

illnesses are also victims of human rights violations, stigma and

discrimination, both inside and outside psychiatric institutions.

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This will assist the researcher to fully know or have a strong idea to what

is a mental issue and to be more knowledgeable in creating and

planning a mental facility.19

2.6 RESEARCH STUDY

Medical Research Council

Poor mental health is common and disabling, affecting 16.7 million

people at any one time and accounting for 15 per cent of all the

disability due to disease. Mental health problems frequently start in

childhood and persist throughout the life course, affecting people at

crucial stages of life: in the home, during school and through working life

into old age. There are a number of challenges to research into mental

illness and wellbeing, including unravelling the complexity of multiple

genetic, social and environmental influences in a way that is able to

inform effective, preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative strategies.

However, the progress of research into understanding the factors that

contribute to mental illness has accelerated in recent. The study was

19Lee Jong-Wook (2015) “Mental health evidence and research”. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/mental_health[Accessed 2nd June 2019]
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undertaken by the MRC to advise OSCHR and its funding partners on UK

research opportunities and tractable priorities for improving mental

health. The aim was to produce a strategic framework outlining

investment opportunities in mental health research over the short to

medium term (two to seven years), addressing the biological,

psychosocial and public health needs.20

The review was structured around four themes:

1. Severe mental illness (primarily psychosis);

2. Anxiety and depression (bipolar disorder was included in this theme);

3. Neurodevelopmental, learning and intellectual disabilities;

4. Pathways to mental wellbeing. The review was guided by a Strategic

Review Group chaired by Professor Christopher Kennard, and involving

scientists with broad expertise across the spectrum of mental health

research.

This will guide the researcher to know the different cases about the

mental disorders that some of the people are experiencing.20

MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS: A SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN

Poor mental health continues to be a serious albeit largely

unrecognized public health concern. Poor mental health, including

20 Medical Research Council (2010) “Review of Mental Health Research”. Retrieve from
https://mrc.ukri.org[Accessed 2nd June 2019]
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depression, anxiety, panic disorders, agoraphobia, and PTSD, as well as

serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder,

continues to rob society of the productive work and lives of countless

individuals. Depression is a particularly prevalent mental health

problem.21

Depression was estimated in 1990 to cost the nation from $30 to

$40 billion in direct costs, lost work days, lost productivity, and disruption

to personal and family life (National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH),

Depression Awareness, Recognition, and Treatment Campaign (D/ART),

no date). Depression is associated with excessive use of health care

services (Regier et al., 1988), higher medical costs, greater disability,

poor self-care and adherence to medical regimens, and increased

morbidity and mortality from medical illness (Katon & Sullivan, 1990;

Research Agenda for Psychosocial and Behavioral 21

This will guide the researcher to plan and design a mental facility in

which it can contribute to the users to lessen their conditions.21

2.7 THEORITICAL/CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

21Maria W. (December 2010) “Mental Health and Substance abuse problems among women
on welfare”. Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov/[Accessed 2nd June 2019]
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The purpose of this, is to establish orderly connections between

observations and facts that will help the researchers acquire knowledge

and information to create or form ideas, designs, plans and strategies

based on the given facts and situation.

2.7.1 INPUT

The input of this study is the information and data’s needed in

order to conceptualize the design and plan of the mental health facility.

The information needed are the design criteria’s and considerations,

such as, amenities, activities, space requirements and planning, site

selection, sustainable strategies and seismic protection system for the

project and also laws, codes, and legal consideration in regards to the

concerned project that can be enforced to the study.

2.7.2 PROCESS

In accordance to the input, the researchers will contemplate on

where will be the most preferable location for the project and what will

be the possible errors that may occur if it’s placed to that specific

location. In this part the researchers will go under analyzation and

interpretation of gathered data. After the analyzation and interpretation

process the researchers will systematize the data’s from most relevant to

least relevant. And then all the data’s will be used in the planning and

designing phase of the project.

2.7.3 OUTPUT
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The output of the designing and planning process is the “La Vita

Nuova: Tacloban Mental Health Facility”

INPUT
 DESIGN CRITERIA’S AND
CONSIDERATIONS
 SPACE REQUIREMENTS AND
PLANNING
 SITE SELECTION
 SUSTAINBALE STRATEGIES
 SEISMIC PROTECTION SYSTEM
 LAWS, CODES, LEGAL
CONSIDERATIONS

PROCESS
 ANALYSIS OF DATA
 SITE DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING
 DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

OUTPUT
“LA VITA NUOVA:
TACLOBAN
MENTAL HEALTH
FACILITY”
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PART 3

METHODOLOGY

This section contains discussion of the research design, research

instruments, research method and procedure and methods of data

utilization for design. It is hoped that the chosen methodology will

generate useful information throughout the study.

3.1 Research Design

The researcher used descriptive type research design in which a

researcher is solely interested in describing the situation or case under

FIGURE I. Research paradigm of the study

the

research study. It is a theory-based research design which is created by

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gather, analyze and presents collected data. By implementing an in-

depth research design such as this, a researcher can provide insights into

the why and how of research. This study will use this method where in all

the data will be taken from the other similar researches conducted and

other review related literature in which it will correspond to the said

objectives of the study in making the structure functional and effective.

3.2 Research Instruments

The researcher will use electronic and printed references using

gadgets as an instrument such as laptops to read and access the

downloaded files through internet research and related literature which

is available in the internet.

3.3 Research Method and Procedure

3.3.1 Data to be Collected

For the design development of the proposed mental facility, the

needed data to be collected are the following: design and planning

considerations, space requirements, preferable site selection,

sustainable strategies and also laws concerning the proposed project.

The datas concerning about site selection will be gathered through

reading and analysis of the comprehensive land use map of Tacloban

City.

3.3.2 Data Collection Method

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The researcher will gather datas about space requirements,

sustainable strategies and laws through library research, and in addition,

concerning about site selection will be based on through the existing

land use map in Tacloban City.

3.3.3 Methods of Data Presentation and Analysis

The researcher will be using textual and narrative descriptions,

tables needed to illustrate the important information for the proposed

project. In terms of concerning for the future site, it will be analyzed and

read through the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Tacloban City.

3.3.4 Method of Data Utilization for Design

The gathered data will serve as a guide and main foundation in

planning and designing the proposed mental health facility. The

planning and design considerations and space requirements will be the

basis of the researcher for further planning. The site selection will be

utilized as a guide to where it is preferable for the site to be located.

Sustainable strategies will help the researcher to design economically

and environmentally vibrant structure. The laws and codes needed for

the study will guide and will be the source of the researcher in the

technical factor in designing and planning the proposed mental facility

specifically in structural, nonstructural, vertical openings, egress and

ingress, roof analyzation, security, person with disability considerations,

anthropometrics, spatial needs, recreational activities, emergency units

and other considerations in regards to the project.

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