This is cross-sectional study sought to determine the profile and mental health status of children residing in selected armed conflict-exposed Barangays of Lamitan City, Basilan. Eight barangays were included in this study (Brgy. Colonia, Brgy. Cabobo, Brgy. Balobo, Brgy. Campo-Uno, Brgy. Kulay Bato, Brgy. Maganda, Brgy. Baas and Brgy. Parangbasak). This study also sought to determine the prevalence of PTSD among the affected children, describe their armed conflict experiences and explored their feelings, attitudes and psychosocial problems. The Mini-Kid Neuropsychiatric Interview questionnaire for children was used to profile mental health disorders of children, while, the Children Global Functional Scale was utilized to classify them based from their functional and coping ability. An in dept interview was done using a modified trauma inventory interview guide to describe their experiences and lastly, a projective assessment was done using the Sack’s Sentence Completion Test to explore the perceptions, feelings, attitudes and psychosocial problems of children identified with PTSD. Result showed that 37.2% of the child surveyed presented with mental health symptoms and among these 22% were found to have inability to cope with their emotional burden or to carry on with their usual function in life. As for those children with the mental health disorders, 54(16%) have depressive symptoms and 19% with Panic Disorders. Almost half of the populations were with symptoms of anxiety disorders. Results also showed that 58 out of 327 (18%) respondents were identified to have PTSD and that majority of them were of the “severe” level (based from DSM V criteria). And 60% of them were coming from the older age group. These children experienced and witnessed mortar bombings, explosions, killings or have seen human mutilated body parts. Fifteen Percent (15%) of these children have at least one of their family members killed. Majority expressed feeling of fear, anger, sadness and hostility. For the in-depth interview, there were five themes identified, these includes: armed conflict experiences suffered by children, loss of love ones, expression of fear, anger and hostility towards militaries, and physical deprivation such as food or access to education. The projective test results showed that majority of the children identified with PTSD still have a positive perception towards their interpersonal relationship, goals and toward future. However, almost half of them have severely negative self concept riddled with fears, guilt feelings and attitudes towards their own abilities. Many also showed negative perception and attitudes towards their father and mother and towards their past experience.

Keyword: Profile and mental health status of children Armed conflict exposed barangays