Integrating Telepsychiatry for Overseas Filipino Workers: Findings From a National Stakeholder Forum for Policy and...

There is a profound gap in the access and affordability of quality mental healthcare for distressed Filipino migrant workers taking refuge in government welfare shelters worldwide. Known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), these hardworking individuals brave the unknown in hopes of a better future. However, for a country that prides itself on its labour export, inadequate measures exist to address mental health disorders that arise from difficult overseas experiences. This study aimed to develop evidence-informed policy recommendations for integrating telepsychiatry services delivered by Filipino mental health professionals into existing OFW programs.

A multi-stakeholder engagement approach was employed through four focus group discussions with 32 key representatives from relevant government agencies, professional organizations, academics, and policy implementers in November 2024.

Five critical themes emerged: (1) Perceived benefits and opportunities to safeguard mental wellbeing; (2) Implementation barriers encompassing technical infrastructure limitations, workforce capacity constraints, and operational challenges; (3) Policy framework requirements including institutionalisation mechanisms, regulatory harmonisation, and bilateral health agreements; (4) Health financing considerations addressing sustainable funding models, insurance coverage expansion, and cost-sharing arrangements; and (5) Health service delivery infrastructure highlighting digital platform development and data security protocols. Findings informed the development of agency-specific policy briefs and a comprehensive stakeholder implementation framework.

Telepsychiatry integration requires coordinated health system strengthening across multiple sectors, tackling policy, financing, and service delivery components simultaneously. These findings have the potential to transform mental health support for OFWs through technology-enabled care delivery, marking a significant step towards inclusive and equitable service for this vulnerable population.