Over the past years, Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) are getting younger, their numbers larger. There are several factors considered to may have cause such delinquent acts. This study determined the profile and the mental health problems of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) in Zamboanga City. This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study with case study component which involved a total of twenty-six (26) children in conflict with the law (CICL) in custody of the Office of City Social Welfare and Development (OCSWD) in Zamboanga City. An interview was conducted to each of the respondents to assess for their demographic and legal profile, and the reasons for committing their offense/s. The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument – Version 2 (MAYSI-2), a self-administered questionnaire, was utilized for screening for mental health problems which included alcohol/drug use, angry-irritable, depressed-anxious, somatic complaints, suicide ideation, thought disturbance for boys only, and traumatic experiences. Results from this study show that the respondents were aged 15-18 years old, majority of whom were male (81%). Most of them were Muslims (65%), Tausug (35%), were single (82%), have low educational attainment (50%), and were out-of-school at the time of apprehension (85%). Majority of the parents of the respondents were alive and were living together (58%), and the respondents were living with both of them (42%) prior to the arrest. 69% of the CICL have already worked full-time or part-time jobs. 5% of them reported to be a member of a gang/fraternity. Most of the CICL have a history of alcoholic use (62%), cigarette smoking (77%), and some have engaged in activities involving illegal substances (42%) particularly methamphetamine (shabu). Almost all of the respondents were first-time offenders (92%) and most of the crimes committed were possession of drugs/drug use. The reasons of the CICL for the commission of their offense included peer influence, false accusations, used by adult offenders to commit the offense, temptation/misconduct, lack of parental care and attention, self-defense, and alcohol use. From these reasons, five cases were selected for the case study. Case 1 was a case of an 18-year-old, female offender, who came in conflict with the law due to peer influence. Case 2 was a 17-year-old, male, who claimed to have been falsely accused of a crime. Case 3 was a case of a 17-year-old, male, who was used by adult offender to aid in the commission of a crime. Case 4 was a case of a male offender, 17-year-old, who committed an offense due to temptation. And Case 5 was a case of a 17-year-old, male, a repeat offender, who became delinquent due to lack of parental care and attention. For the mental health screening, it was found out that mental health problems were prevalent among CICL in Zamboanga City. Given the results of the study, the researcher recommends that constant supervision of friends and activities of the children is necessary. Love, care, and attention should always be provided to the children. Since most of the children who came in conflict with the law were out-of-school, the government should make sure that all children are in school. Extra-curricular activities such as sports fest could be provided for the youth most especially during their free time. Mental health problems were noted to be prevalent among the CICL therefore, provision of mental health services for these children was also recommended

Keyword: Profile and mental health problems Children in conflict with the law