FEU researchers highlight perinatal mental health in global forum

Researchers from Far Eastern University join the organizers of the forum, “New Directions in Perinatal Research in the Philippines and Australia” last March 24 to 28.  Joycelyn Filoteo, University Research Ethics Office

A global study on perinatal mental health and bereavement.

Composed of faculty from the  Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing (IHSN) and the Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS), the FEU team shared findings on maternal depression, bereavement care, and perinatal stress in the Philippines during the forum titled, “New Directions in Perinatal Research in the Philippines and Australia.” The event, led by the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence at Mater Research, brought together researchers and clinicians from Australia and Southeast Asia. 

The COCOON Project is a global initiative examining the experiences of parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on stillbirth and neonatal loss.

 “We consider the day a great success, and so many people have come up to me and told me how fabulous they found the team's presentations,” said one FEU faculty member. 

Representing FEU were Dr. Joemer Maravilla, supervising investigator of COCOON Philippines and Research Fellow at (University of Queensland (UQ); Joycelyn Filoteo from IHSN, Department of Nursing, lead investigator; Dr. Ana Nelia Jumamil from IAS, Department of Psychology; co-lead investigator; along with Dr. Anna Liza Alonso, Dr. Wilfredo Quijencio Jr., both from IHSN, Department of Nursing; and Arbie Diane Flores from IAS Department of Psychology.

The team also visited the Mater Mothers’ Hospital, the largest and most advanced women’s hospital in the southern hemisphere, for a benchmarking activity. A highlight of the trip was their meeting with Prof. Caroline Homer, chair of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and member of the WHO Technical Working Group on Maternal Health, who recognized the relevance of the FEU team’s work and expressed support for its impact in the Philippines. 

Beyond academic exchange, the visit opened doors for future collaborations, including joint publications, grant applications, and localized bereavement care training in the Philippines. The Western Pacific Regional Office of the International Stillbirth Alliance formally recognized FEU, cementing its institutional partnership and extending its reach in global health research. 

This engagement aligns with COCOON’s overarching goal to inform policies and improve care practices surrounding perinatal mental health—an area still critically under-addressed in the Philippine health system. Through initiatives like this, FEU continues to advance evidence-based solutions that support Filipino mothers, families, and communities. 

The recent research exchange was hosted by UQ and Mater Research last March 24 to 28 in Brisbane, Australia.