The mental health of Filipino youth is an increasingly pressing issue, exacerbated by social, economic, and cultural factors. Despite some progress in awareness and policy, the lack of resources and pervasive stigma still prevent many young people from getting the support they need.
Mental health is a sensitive and critical topic in the Philippines, especially when it comes to Filipino youth. As a predominantly Catholic country that is deeply rooted from religious and cultural beliefs, discussions around mental health are often influenced by faith and societal stigmas.
However, this perception has become continuously challenged as the younger Filipino generation has become more open to sharing their feelings and seeking available resources.
Despite the growing awareness, you may wonder – are the current efforts sufficient to meet the needs of our Filipino youth?
Mental Health Statistics Among the Filipino Youth
According to the World Health Organization, approximately one in eight individuals live with a mental health condition worldwide. In the Philippines, 41% of the Filipino youth have reported experiencing mental health issues.
The rise in mental health issues among youths can be linked to various factors brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, family, bullying, social media, academic stress, lack of mental health literacy, and limited access to support and resources.
Moreover, Philippines faces a shortage of mental health professionals, with only 5,085 registered guidance counselors, 2,417 psychologists, and 651 psychiatrists. This is far fewer compared to other countries, and makes it difficult for youth to access the support they need.
As Sheila Marie Hocson, RGS, RPSy, RPm, LPT, and principal resource person for Heads Up PH highlights, “In the Philippine public school system, there is only one guidance counsellor serving 25,000 students.”
She also adds that access to private mental health services are expensive for the average Filipino.
As mental health services remain costly, financial constraints prevent many young people from seeking professional help. Therefore, they rely on ineffective coping strategies such as self-reliance and self-diagnosis, which worsens their condition and leads to long-term consequences.
Stigma remains another significant barrier. Many Filipino youths hesitate to seek help due to a fear of being misunderstood and judged. Instead of seeking support, they suffer in silence, avoiding mental health services.
Alarmingly, a study found that 1.5 million Filipino youth contemplated suicide in 2021. These figures reflect a growing crisis that requires urgent attention. With the rapid changes in society causing stress and anxiety among adolescents, the environment plays a vital role in addressing these concerns.
Mental Health Care Systems in the Philippines
In recent years, the Philippine government has introduced various policies and programmes aimed at improving mental health care. A milestone in this effort was the Mental Health Act of 2018, the country’s first mental health legislation signed by former president, Rodrigo Duterte.
This law gives access to psychotropic medicines, allows primary practitioners to treat MSN disorders, provides emergency hotlines, and makes mental health services more available and affordable.
Several institutions such as the National Center for Mental Health, a psychiatric hospital in Mandaluyong, and non-profit organisations provide mental health facilities and services, including online therapy and consultations.
On December 9 of 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a law mandating mental health programmes for students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel, in public and private schools nationwide.
Challenges in Mental Health Policies
While mental health is a deeply personal issue, it is also tied to systemic problems, including gaps in policymaking. Prior to 2018, the Department of Health implemented a framework for a Comprehensive National Mental Health Programme through administrative orders.
However, without formal legislation, mental health received limited traction. It was only sustained with efforts of the Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act, which was signed into law in 2018, marking a significant turning point in the country’s approach to mental health care.
With this, Local Government Units (LGUs) are required to develop their own mental health programmes by following the guidelines of the Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH) and in partnership with government agencies and the private sector.
However, LGUs face funding constraints, often relying on local mental health advocates to push these initiatives forward. Budgetary limitations further hinder the development of mental health programmes, and many LGUs hesitate to take full responsibility for mental health services.
Moreover, lawmakers have shown little commitment to allocating funds for mental health care, which affects the expansion of community-based services. As a result, many areas still lack comprehensive mental health programmes that are accessible to the youth.
Filipino Celebrities Advocating for Mental Health
Despite mental health being a taboo subject in the country, several Filipino celebrities have stepped up to normalise conversations regarding this topic.
As they bravely speak up through their platforms, they are raising awareness, informing, and educating the youth. These steps provide safer spaces for the youth to bask in their feelings and promote the idea that it’s okay to not be okay at all times.
Kylie Verzosa
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Model, beauty queen, and actress Kylie Verzosa is known for being a mental health advocate. The Miss International 2016 opened up about her struggles with clinical depression. She even established her own organization called Mental Health Matters PH to help others who are struggling.
Nadine Lustre
Actress Nadine Lustre has been an open book regarding her own mental health. In a 2021 interview, she spoke about her anxiety and depression, which made her almost leave the Philippines for good.
Despite her struggles, she continues to help others with their mental health. In 2021, she participated in the mental health awareness platform Mind You, alongside Liza Soberano and Yassi Pressman.
Vice Ganda
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Prominent comedian and television host, Vice Ganda has openly discussed their personal experiences with depression and being proud to undergo therapy. They mentioned that they want to not only stay healthy physically, but mentally. By disclosing their struggles, they play a significant role in destigmatising mental health issues in the Philippines.
These Filipino celebrities are only a tiny fraction of the millions of people who are living and speaking out about mental health. As the stigma continues to break, the community continues to become stronger everyday, making it easier for individuals to seek out therapy.
Other famous mental health advocates that you may know about include Maureen Wroblewitz, Pia Wurtzbach, Heart Evangelista, Xyriel Manabat, Alexa Illacad, Andrea Brillantes, and many more.
Moving Forward: A Collaborative Effort to Address Mental Health of Filipino Youth
Despite recent progress, much remains to be done to ensure that the mental health of Filipino youth is fully supported. This will require a collaborative effort among families, schools, communities, and the government. With the recognising and addressing the complexities of mental health, society can ensure a better future for youths.
Increasing awareness on mental health issues and their impact on the younger generation is crucial to address this ongoing crisis.
Furthermore, mental health care services should be personalised to meet the unique needs of each individual. Involving patients in policymaking can help address their marginalisation and improve the accessibility and affordability of services.
If you feel that you need help for yourself or anyone else, you may contact The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline. They are available 24/7 for psychiatric emergencies, suicidal thoughts, depression, and other issues at (02) 7989-8727 or (0917) 899-8727.