mental health essay tagalog

Mga Sanaysay Tungkol sa Mental Health (7 Sanaysay)

Ang mga sanaysay tungkol sa mental health na mababasa mo sa post na ito ay masusing isinulat upang maghatid ng kaalaman, inspirasyon, at suporta sa mga mambabasa na nagnanais na mas maintindihan ang kahalagahan ng mental health sa ating buhay.

Mababasa mo dito ang mga sanaysay na tumatalakay sa iba’t ibang aspekto ng mental health – mula sa kahalagahan nito sa ating pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay, ang epekto ng pandemya sa ating kaisipan, hanggang sa mga hakbang na maaari nating gawin upang maging mas malusog at matatag ang ating mentalidad.

Nawa’y makatulong sa iyo ang mga nilalaman ng sanaysay na mababasa mo dito patungo sa pagkakaroon ng mas malalim na pag-unawa at pagpapahalaga sa mental health. Sama-sama nating pagyamanin ang ating kaalaman at kamalayan, at magbigay ng suporta sa mga taong nangangailangan upang maitaguyod ang isang mas maunlad at malusog na lipunan para sa lahat.

Mga Halimbawa ng Sanaysay Tungkol sa Mental Health

Sanaysay tungkol sa mental health, ang kahalagahan ng mental health sa ating buhay, epekto ng pandemya sa mental health, bakit mahalaga ang mental health, mental health ng kabataan sa bagong normal, epekto ng pandemya sa mental health ng mga kabataan, ang mental health sa makabagong panahon: pag-unawa, kamalayan, at suporta.

Sa makabagong mundo na ating ginagalawan, ang isyu ng mental health ay isa sa mga pangunahing aspeto ng kalusugan na dapat nating bigyang-pansin. Sa kabila ng mga teknolohiya at pag-unlad na ating natatamasa, ang mental health ay isa sa mga bagay na madalas na nakakaligtaan. Ang sanaysay na ito ay tatalakay sa kahalagahan ng mental health, ang mga kadahilanan na nakakaapekto dito, at ang mga hakbang na maaari nating gawin upang maging mas malusog ang ating kaisipan.

Una sa lahat, ano nga ba ang mental health? Ang mental health o kalusugang pangkaisipan ay tumutukoy sa kagalingan ng isang indibidwal sa aspeto ng emosyonal, sikolohikal, at sosyal na aspekto ng kanyang buhay. Ito ay tumutukoy sa kung paano natin pinangangasiwaan ang ating mga emosyon, pag-iisip, at pakikitungo sa ibang tao. Ang isang malusog na mental health ay mahalaga upang magkaroon tayo ng balanse at magandang kalidad ng buhay.

Ang mental health ay hindi lamang para sa mga mayroong problema sa kaisipan. Ang bawat isa sa atin ay may mental health na kailangang pangalagaan at paunlarin. Sa katunayan, ang mental health ay maaaring magdulot ng malalim na impluwensya sa ating pisikal na kalusugan. Mayroong iba’t-ibang kadahilanan na nakakaapekto sa mental health, gaya ng genetics, kapaligiran, karanasan sa buhay, at iba pang mga mapanganib na kadahilanan.

Upang mapanatili ang ating mental health, mahalaga na tayo ay magkaroon ng tamang balanse sa ating buhay. Narito ang ilang mga paraan upang pangalagaan ang mental health:

• Kumilos at maging aktibo. Ang regular na ehersisyo ay isa sa mga pinakamabisang paraan upang mapanatili ang ating mental health. Ito ay nakakatulong na maibsan ang stress, pagod, at maging ang mga sintomas ng depresyon at anxiety.
• Maging mulat sa iyong emosyon. Ang pagiging bukas sa ating mga emosyon ay tumutulong na maunawaan natin ang ating mga damdamin at kung paano natin ito haharapin. Sa pamamagitan nito, mas mapapabuti natin ang ating emosyonal na kalusugan.
• Magkaroon ng sapat na tulog. Ang sapat na tulog ay isa sa mga pinakamahalagang sangkap ng mental health. Ito ay tumutulong na mabawasan ang stress at pagod, at magbigay ng enerhiya para sa susunod na araw.
• Kumain ng masustansyang pagkain. Ang tamang nutrisyon ay isa pang mahalagang sangkap ng mental health. Ang mga pagkain na mayaman sa nutrients, tulad ng prutas, gulay, lean protein, at whole grains, ay nakakatulong upang mapanatili ang ating mental health at mabawasan ang pagkakataon ng pagkakaroon ng depresyon at iba pang mga mental na sakit.
• Kumonekta sa ibang tao. Ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamilya, kaibigan, at komunidad ay mahalaga sa ating mental health. Ang pagkakaroon ng suporta mula sa mga taong malapit sa atin ay nakakatulong upang mabawasan ang stress, maramdaman ang pagmamahal at pag-aaruga, at makakuha ng payo kung kinakailangan.
• Maglaan ng oras para sa sarili. Ang pagbibigay ng oras sa ating sarili ay mahalaga upang ma-refresh ang ating isipan at emosyon. Maaari itong sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa, paglalakad, pagmumuni-muni, o anumang aktibidad na nagbibigay sa atin ng kasiyahan at pahinga.
• Huwag matakot humingi ng tulong. Kung sa tingin mo ay mayroong problema sa iyong mental health, huwag matakot na humingi ng tulong mula sa mga propesyonal, tulad ng mga psychologist, psychiatrist, o counselor. Sila ay makakatulong upang matukoy ang iyong kalagayan at magbigay ng nararapat na interbensyon.

Sa kabuuan, ang mental health ay isang mahalagang aspekto ng ating buhay na dapat nating bigyang halaga at pangalagaan. Ang pagiging malusog sa isip at emosyon ay makapagdudulot ng positibong epekto sa ating pisikal na kalusugan, relasyon sa ibang tao, at ang ating pang-araw-araw na gawain. Kung ating babalikan ang mga hakbang na nabanggit, maaari nating mas mapangalagaan ang ating mental health at magkaroon ng mas masagana at maligayang buhay.

Sa mundong puno ng hamon, stress, at pagsubok, napakahalaga na ating pahalagahan ang ating mental health. Ang mental health ay tumutukoy sa kalagayan ng ating kaisipan at emosyon na may malaking epekto sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. Ang sanaysay na ito ay naglalayong bigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng mental health sa ating buhay, ang mga paraan kung paano ito mapangangalagaan, at ang mga hamon na kinakaharap ng mga Pilipino sa aspektong ito.

Unang-una, dapat nating maintindihan ang konsepto ng mental health. Ito ay may malaking kaugnayan sa ating kasiyahan, kapayapaan ng isip, at pagkakaroon ng malusog na relasyon sa ating sarili at sa ibang tao. Ang mental health ay lubhang mahalaga dahil ito ang nagbibigay-daan sa atin upang mas maayos na harapin ang mga pagsubok sa buhay, maging mas produktibo, at makamit ang ating mga layunin.

Upang mapangalagaan ang ating mental health, mahalaga na sundin natin ang mga sumusunod na paraan:

• Maging balanse ang ating pamumuhay: Tiyaking may sapat na oras para sa pag-aaral, trabaho, pahinga, at mga libangan. Iwasan ang sobrang pagtatrabaho o paglalaro ng video games dahil maaaring maging sanhi ito ng stress o kawalan ng motibasyon.
• Kumain ng masustansya at maging aktibo: Ang pagkain ng masusustansya at pag-eehersisyo ay maaaring magbigay ng positibong epekto sa ating mental health. Maaari rin itong makatulong upang mabawasan ang stress at mapabuti ang ating antas ng enerhiya.
• Matutunan ang stress management: Maghanap ng mga paraan upang mabawasan ang stress, tulad ng paggawa ng relaxation techniques, paghinga ng malalim, o pagpapraktis ng mindfulness meditation.
• Huwag matakot humingi ng tulong: Kung nahihirapan tayo sa ating mental health, huwag matakot humingi ng tulong mula sa pamilya, mga kaibigan, o propesyonal na mental health provider. Ito ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang malunasan ang anumang problema na kinakaharap natin.

Ang mga Pilipino ay kinakaharap ang ilang mga hamon sa aspektong ito. Isa sa mga ito ay ang kawalan ng sapat na kaalaman tungkol sa mental health, na nagsasadlak sa iba’t ibang stigma at diskriminasyon. Maraming Pilipino ang hindi umaasa ng tulong dahil sa takot na maging biktima ng mga negatibong pagtingin at paniniwala. Kaya naman, mahalaga na maging bukas ang ating isipan at puso, at tulungan natin ang isa’t isa upang mawala ang stigma na nakapaligid sa mental health.

Ang isa pang hamon ay ang limitadong access sa mental health services sa Pilipinas. Sa kasalukuyan, hindi lahat ng mga komunidad ay may sapat na pasilidad at mental health professionals upang tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga taong nangangailangan ng tulong. Kaya naman, mahalaga na palakasin ang pampublikong suporta at pondo para sa mental health, upang marami pang Pilipino ang makakamit ang kanilang mental health needs.

Ang mental health ay isang napakahalagang aspekto ng ating buhay, at hindi dapat balewalain. Bilang isang Pilipino, nais kong ibahagi ang aking kaalaman at karanasan upang makatulong sa pagpapalaganap ng impormasyon tungkol sa mental health, at upang maging inspirasyon sa iba na mas maunawaan at magkaroon ng malasakit sa mga taong nakakaranas ng mga mental health challenges.

Sa pagtatapos, ang mental health ay isang kayamanan na dapat nating pangalagaan. Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tamang suporta, kaalaman, at mga serbisyo, maaari nating ipakita ang ating pagmamahal at malasakit sa ating kapwa Pilipino na nakakaranas ng mga mental health struggles. Sa ganitong paraan, maaari nating ipakita na ang mental health ay isa sa pinakamahalagang aspekto ng ating buhay, at dapat itong bigyan ng sapat na pansin at pag-aaruga.

Sa panahon ng pandemya, ang buong mundo ay nabalot ng kawalan ng katiyakan, takot, at pag-aalala. Ang krisis na dala ng COVID-19 ay hindi lamang nagdulot ng sakit sa katawan, kundi pati na rin sa ating kaisipan. Ang sanaysay na ito ay tatalakay sa epekto ng pandemya sa mental health ng bawat isa, at ang mga paraan kung paano tayo makakabangon mula sa krisis na ito.

Ang pandemya ay nagdulot ng maraming pagbabago sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. Ito ay nagsimula sa pagpapatupad ng lockdowns at community quarantines, na nagdulot ng kawalan ng trabaho, pagkawala ng kita, at pagbabago sa ating mga gawain. Ang mga ito ay may malaking epekto sa ating mental health, dahil marami sa atin ang nakaranas ng stress, kawalan ng pag-asa, at pangamba sa hinaharap.

Isa sa mga pangunahing epekto ng pandemya sa mental health ay ang pagtaas ng anxiety at depression. Ang kawalan ng pagkakataong makalabas at makipag-ugnayan sa ibang tao ay maaaring maging sanhi ng kalungkutan, pagkawala ng interes sa dating mga hilig, at pagkakaroon ng negatibong pananaw sa buhay. Dagdag pa rito, ang stress na dala ng pagkawala ng trabaho at pagkakaroon ng financial problems ay nagdulot ng pagkabalisa sa marami sa atin.

Bukod pa rito, ang pandemya ay nagdulot din ng mga social issues na may epekto sa mental health, tulad ng domestic violence, child abuse, at pagkalulong sa droga o alak. Ang mga ito ay maaaring magdulot ng long-term psychological effects sa mga biktima at kanilang mga pamilya.

Sa kabila ng mga negatibong epekto ng pandemya sa mental health, mayroon din tayong mga paraan upang labanan ang mga ito at makabangon mula sa krisis na ito:

• Magkaroon ng regular na komunikasyon sa pamilya at mga kaibigan. Ang pag-uusap sa mga taong mahalaga sa atin ay maaaring makatulong upang maibsan ang ating kawalan ng pag-asa at kalungkutan.
• Magtakda ng mga bagong routines o goal. Ang pagkakaroon ng bagong layunin sa buhay ay maaaring makatulong upang mabigyan tayo ng bagong pag-asa at maging mas produktibo sa panahon ng pandemya.
• Maging aktibo sa pamamagitan ng pag-eehersisyo at pagkain ng masustansya. Ang malusog na pamumuhay ay maaaring makatulong upang mapabuti ang ating mental health at maging handa sa mga hamon na dala ng pandemya.
• Huwag matakot humingi ng tulong. Kung nakakaranas tayo ng labis na pagkabalisa, depression, o anumang problema sa ating mental health, mahalaga na humingi tayo ng tulong mula sa mga eksperto o mental health professionals. Ito ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang malunasan ang ating mga problema at maging mas malakas na tao pagkatapos ng pandemya.
• Mag-aral ng stress management techniques. Ang pag-aaral ng iba’t ibang paraan upang kontrolin ang stress, tulad ng deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, at relaxation techniques ay maaaring makatulong upang mabawasan ang epekto ng pandemya sa ating mental health.

Sa pagtatapos, ang pandemya ay tunay na nagdulot ng maraming hamon at pagsubok sa ating buhay, lalo na sa ating mental health. Ngunit sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan, maaari nating labanan ang mga epekto ng krisis na ito at makabangon muli bilang mas malakas at mas handang tao sa hinaharap. Ang pagpapahalaga sa ating mental health at pagbibigay-suporta sa isa’t isa ay magiging susi upang malagpasan natin ang pandemya at makamit ang ating mga pangarap at layunin sa buhay.

Sa ating makulay at masalimuot na buhay, madalas ay nakakalimutan natin ang isang aspekto na napakahalaga sa ating pag-unlad at kasiyahan – ang mental health. Ito ang kalagayan ng ating kaisipan at emosyon na may malaking impluwensya sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. Sa sanaysay na ito, ating tatalakayin ang kahalagahan ng mental health sa bawat isa, sa ating komunidad, at sa ating lipunan.

Una, ang mental health ay mahalaga sa ating personal na buhay. Ito ay nagsisilbing pundasyon kung paano natin haharapin ang mga hamon, pagsubok, at oportunidad na dumarating sa atin. Ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na mental health ay nagbibigay-daan sa atin upang magkaroon ng mas malinaw na pag-iisip, maging mas maayos na gumawa ng mga desisyon, at maging mas epektibo sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga mahal sa buhay at kaibigan.

Ikalawa, ang mental health ay mahalaga sa ating mga relasyon. Ang maayos na mental health ay nagpapabuti sa ating emosyonal na katalinuhan na makatutulong sa atin na mas maunawaan at maging sensitibo sa damdamin ng iba. Ito ay nagpapalakas din sa ating abilidad na makipag-ugnayan sa ibang tao, magkaroon ng mas malalim na koneksyon, at maging mas responsableng miyembro ng pamilya at ng komunidad.

Ikatlo, ang mental health ay mahalaga sa ating propesyon o trabaho. Ang pagkakaroon ng maayos na mental health ay maaaring magresulta na maging mas produktibo, magkaroon ng mas mababang antas ng stress, at makaranas ng mas malaking kasiyahan sa ating ginagawa. Ito ay nagdudulot din ng mas malaking kakayahan na harapin ang stress at presyon sa trabaho, at maging mas malikhaing problem-solver.

Pang-apat, ang mental health ay mahalaga sa ating lipunan. Ang pagkakaroon ng malusog na mental health ay maaaring makatulong upang mabawasan ang insidente ng kriminalidad, domestic violence, at iba pang mga negatibong pag-uugali na maaaring makaapekto sa ating komunidad. Ito ay nakatutulong din upang mapalakas ang pagkakaisa, pagtutulungan, at pag-aaruga sa isa’t isa.

Sa ating pagkilala sa kahalagahan ng mental health, nararapat lamang na bigyan ito ng sapat na pansin at pag-aaruga. Ang pagpapahalaga sa mental health ay nangangahulugan ng pagtanggap sa ating mga emosyon, pag-aaral ng mga paraan upang mapabuti ang ating kaisipan, at pagbibigay ng suporta at pagmamahal sa mga taong nakakaranas ng mga mental health challenges.

Sa pagtatapos, ang mental health ay isang aspeto ng ating buhay na dapat nating bigyan ng sapat na halaga at pag-aaruga. Ang pagpapahalaga sa mental health ay isa sa mga susi upang maging mas malusog, mas masaya, at mas matagumpay na indibidwal. Sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalaga sa ating mental health, maaari nating ipakita ang ating pagmamahal sa ating sarili, sa ating pamilya, at sa ating komunidad. Sa ganitong paraan, maaari tayong makamit ang isang mas malusog at mas makabuluhang buhay.

Sa ating lipunan ngayon, ang kabataan ay patuloy na humaharap sa maraming pagsubok at hamon na dala ng pagbabago sa ating mundo. Ang “Bagong Normal” na dulot ng pandemya, teknolohiya, at iba pang mga pagbabago ay nagdulot ng malaking epekto sa mental health ng mga kabataan. Sa sanaysay na ito, tatalakayin natin ang kalagayan ng mental health ng kabataan sa Bagong Normal at ang mga hakbang na maaari nating gawin upang suportahan ang kanilang paglago at pag-unlad.

Sa panahon ng pandemya, ang kabataan ay dumanas ng mga pagbabago sa kanilang pamumuhay na maaaring magdulot ng stress at pagkabalisa. Ang pagpapatupad ng online learning ay isa sa mga pagbabagong ito, na nagdulot ng labis na presyon sa mga estudyante na masanay sa bagong paraan ng pag-aaral, gumamit ng teknolohiya sa kabila na hindi lahat ay may maayos na access dito, at balansehin ang kanilang mga tungkulin sa tahanan.

Bukod sa mga pag-aaral, ang pagkakaroon ng limited na social interaction dahil sa mga quarantine measures ay nagdulot ng pagkakahiwalay at pagkakalayo sa kanilang mga kaibigan at kamag-aral. Ang kawalan ng face-to-face na pakikipag-ugnayan ay maaaring magdulot ng pakiramdam ng kalungkutan, pagkawala ng koneksyon, at pagkakaroon ng higit na pagkabalisa.

Sa kabilang banda, ang pag-usbong ng teknolohiya at social media ay nagdulot ng maraming pagkakataon para sa mga kabataan na manatiling konektado at makibahagi sa iba’t ibang aktibidad. Gayunpaman, ang labis na paggamit ng social media at internet ay maaaring magdulot ng mga negatibong epekto sa kanilang mental health. Ang peer pressure, cyberbullying, at pagkukumpara sa buhay ng iba ay maaaring maging sanhi ng depresyon, mababang self-esteem, at iba pang mga mental health issues.

Upang masuportahan ang mental health ng kabataan sa Bagong Normal, narito ang ilang mga hakbang na maaari nating gawin:

• Palakasin ang komunikasyon: Ang pakikipag-usap sa mga kabataan tungkol sa kanilang mga problema, emosyon, at nararamdaman ay maaaring makatulong upang maunawaan natin ang kanilang mga kailangan at maging mas handa sa pagbibigay ng tulong.
• Magbigay ng suporta sa kanilang pag-aaral: Hikayatin ang mga kabataan na balansehin ang kanilang akademiko at personal na buhay, at magbigay ng patnubay at suporta habang sila ay umaangkop sa mga bagong pamamaraan ng pag-aaral, tulad ng online class.
• Itaguyod ang mga malusog na gawi: Hikayatin ang mga kabataan na magkaroon ng malusog na pamumuhay, tulad ng pagkain ng masustansyang pagkain, pagkakaroon ng sapat na pahinga at tulog, at pagsasagawa ng regular na ehersisyo. Ang mga malusog na gawi ay maaaring makatulong sa pagpapanatili ng kanilang mental health at pangkalahatang kalusugan.
• Limitahan ang oras sa social media at internet: Magbigay ng gabay sa mga kabataan sa tamang paggamit ng social media at teknolohiya. Itakda ang oras sa paggamit ng internet at mag-encourage na gumugol ng oras sa ibang aktibidad tulad ng sports, hobbies, at pagkakaroon ng face-to-face na pakikipag-ugnayan sa pamilya at kaibigan kapag posible.
• Huwag balewalain ang mga senyales ng problema sa mental health: Kung may ipinapakitang senyales ang mga kabataan ng mga mental health issues tulad ng pagkabalisa, depresyon, o anumang pagbabago sa kanilang pag-uugali, maghanap ng propesyonal na tulong mula sa mental health experts.
• Magbigay ng edukasyon tungkol sa mental health: Maging bukas sa pag-uusap tungkol sa mental health at ituro sa mga kabataan ang kahalagahan ng pag-aaruga sa kanilang sarili, pagtanggap ng tulong, at pagpapahalaga sa sarili at sa iba.

Sa pagtatapos, ang mental health ng kabataan sa Bagong Normal ay nangangailangan ng ating patuloy na suporta at pang-unawa. Ang pagkilala sa mga hamon na dala ng pandemya, teknolohiya, at iba pang mga pagbabago ay mahalaga upang mabigyan natin sila ng sapat na gabay at tulong sa pagharap sa mga pagsubok na ito. Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahalaga sa kanilang mental health at pagbibigay ng suporta sa kanilang paglago at pag-unlad, maaari nating matulungan ang mga kabataan na maging mas malakas, mas masaya, at mas handang harapin ang kinabukasan.

Ang pandemya na dulot ng COVID-19 ay hindi lamang isang krisis sa kalusugan, ngunit isa rin itong malawakang krisis sa mental health na may malalim na epekto sa ating lipunan, lalo na sa mga kabataan. Ang paglisan mula sa kanilang nakasanayang pamumuhay, pagkawala ng mga oportunidad sa pag-aaral at pakikisalamuha, at ang biglaang pagbabago sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na gawain ay nagdudulot ng malalaking hamon sa kanilang mental health. Sa sanaysay na ito, tatalakayin natin ang mga epekto ng pandemya sa mental health ng mga kabataan.

Una, ang pandemya ay nagdulot ng matinding pagkabalisa at stress sa mga kabataan. Ang takot sa pagkakasakit, ang kawalan ng kasiguruhan sa kinabukasan, at ang mga pangamba sa kanilang pamilya at kaibigan ay lumikha ng isang sitwasyon kung saan ang kanilang mental health ay maaaring maapektuhan. Ang labis na stress at pagkabalisa ay maaaring magdulot ng iba pang mga problema sa mental health, tulad ng depresyon, sleep disturbances, at mababang self-esteem.

Pangalawa, ang pagpapatupad ng mga quarantine measures at ang paglilipat sa online learning ay nagresulta sa limitadong social interaction para sa mga kabataan. Ang kawalan ng pisikal na pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga kamag-aral, guro, at kaibigan ay maaaring magdulot ng pakiramdam ng kalungkutan, pagkakahiwalay, at pagkawala ng koneksyon sa ibang tao. Ito ay maaaring maging sanhi ng pagtaas ng mga kaso ng depresyon at anxiety disorders sa mga kabataan.

Pangatlo, ang pandemya ay nagdulot ng maraming pagkawala sa mga kabataan – mula sa pagkawala ng mga mahal sa buhay dahil sa COVID-19, hanggang sa pagkawala ng mga oportunidad sa pag-aaral at pag-unlad. Ang mga ito ay maaaring maging sanhi ng pagdadalamhati, pagkalito, at mababang self-worth. Ang mga pagkawala ay maaaring pagmulan ng post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at iba pang mga mental health challenges.

Upang harapin ang mga epekto ng pandemya sa mental health ng mga kabataan, maaari nating gawin ang mga sumusunod na hakbang:

• Magsagawa ng mga mental health awareness campaigns upang bigyang-pansin ang kahalagahan ng mental health at hikayatin ang mga kabataan na humingi ng tulong kapag kailangan.
• Magbigay ng suporta at gabay sa mga kabataan sa pag-aaral sa online learning at iba pang mga pagbabago sa kanilang pamumuhay.
• Palakasin ang komunikasyon sa loob ng pamilya at magkaroon ng regular na pag-uusap tungkol sa kanilang mga damdamin, pangamba, at mga karanasan sa panahon ng pandemya.
• Hikayatin ang mga kabataan na makibahagi sa mga aktibidad na nakatutulong sa kanilang mental health, tulad ng ehersisyo, pagbibisikleta, o anumang aktibidad upang magkaroon ng malusog na pamumuhay.
• I-promote ang responsibleng paggamit ng social media at teknolohiya upang mabawasan ang negatibong epekto nito sa mental health ng mga kabataan.
• Makipagtulungan sa mga mental health professionals upang magbigay ng sapat na serbisyo at suporta sa mga kabataang nangangailangan ng tulong sa kanilang mental health.
• Magbigay ng mga peer support programs at counseling services sa mga paaralan at komunidad upang matulungan ang mga kabataan na harapin ang mga hamon na dala ng pandemya.

Sa pagtatapos, ang pandemya ay isang malaking pagsubok na humamon sa mental health ng mga kabataan. Ngunit sa tamang suporta, pag-unawa, at pag-aaruga mula sa ating mga pamilya, komunidad, at pamahalaan, maaari nating matulungan ang mga kabataan na malampasan ang mga epekto ng pandemya at maging mas matatag sa harap ng anumang pagsubok sa hinaharap. Ang pagsisikap na ito ay hindi lamang makakatulong sa mga kabataan na mabawi ang kanilang mental health, ngunit magbibigay rin ng mas malusog at masiglang lipunan para sa lahat.

Sa makabagong panahon, ang mental health ay isa sa mga mahahalagang aspeto ng buhay na nangangailangan ng mas malalim na pag-unawa, kamalayan, at suporta mula sa bawat isa sa atin. Ang paglago ng teknolohiya, ang mabilis na pagbabago ng lipunan, at ang mga hamon na dala ng pandemya ay nagbigay ng iba’t ibang epekto sa ating mental health. Sa sanaysay na ito, ating tatalakayin ang kahalagahan ng pag-unawa, kamalayan, at suporta sa mental health sa makabagong panahon.

Una, ang pag-unawa sa mental health ay napakahalaga upang mabigyan ng tamang atensyon ang mga pangangailangan ng bawat isa. Ang pag-unawa sa mga sintomas, sanhi, at epekto ng iba’t ibang mental health issues ay makakatulong sa atin na magbigay ng angkop na tulong at suporta sa mga taong nangangailangan. Ang pag-unawa rin sa mga limitasyon at kakayahan ng bawat isa ay magbibigay-daan sa paggalang at pagtanggap sa kanilang karanasan.

Pangalawa, ang kamalayan sa mental health ay nangangailangan ng ating pagiging aktibo sa pagtuklas at pagpapalawak ng kaalaman sa mga isyung pangkaisipan. Ang paglahok sa mga mental health awareness campaigns, pagbabasa ng mga artikulo, at pakikinig sa mga kwento at karanasan ng iba ay ilan lamang sa mga paraan upang madagdagan ang ating kaalaman. Ang kamalayan ay nag-uugat sa ating pagnanais na matuto at maging mas handa sa pagtugon sa mga hamon sa ating mental health.

Pangatlo, ang suporta sa mental health ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan, ngunit pati na rin sa pagpapakita ng malasakit sa kanilang karanasan. Ang suporta ay maaaring magsimula sa loob ng pamilya, kung saan ang pagiging bukas sa pag-uusap tungkol sa emosyon at damdamin ay mahalaga. Maaari rin itong maging bahagi ng komunidad at mga institusyon, sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga programa at serbisyong pang-mental health na tutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng bawat isa.

Sa makabagong panahon, ang mental health ay hindi na dapat ituring na isang taboo o kahihiyang usapin. Sa halip, ito ay isang hamon na dapat nating harapin nang sama-sama, sa pamamagitan ng pag-unawa, kamalayan, at suporta. Ang pagsisikap na ito ay hindi lamang makakatulong sa ating sariling mental health, ngunit magbibigay rin ng mas malusog at masiglang lipunan para sa lahat.

Sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay, maaari nating ipakita ang ating pag-unawa sa mental health sa pamamagitan ng pagiging sensitibo sa mga damdamin ng iba at pagpapahalaga sa kanilang mga karanasan. Maging handa rin tayong tumanggap ng tulong para sa ating sariling mental health, at huwag matakot na humingi ng suporta sa oras ng pangangailangan.

Sa huli, ang mental health sa makabagong panahon ay isang aspeto ng buhay na dapat nating pagtuunan ng pansin at pahalagahan. Ang pag-unawa sa mga karanasan ng iba, pagkakaroon ng kamalayan sa mga isyung pangkaisipan, at pagbibigay ng suporta ay tatlong mahahalagang hakbang upang makamit ang isang mas maunlad na lipunan na may malusog na kaisipan para sa lahat.

At ‘yan ang mga halimbawa ng sanaysay tungkol sa mental health. Inaasahan namin na ang mga sanaysay na ito ay nagbigay sa iyo ng bagong kaalaman, inspirasyon, at pag-asa na magagamit sa iyong sariling buhay at sa pagtulong sa iba.

Hinihikayat ka naming i-share ang mga sanaysay na ito sa iyong pamilya, mga kaibigan, at sa marami pang iba sa pamamagitan ng social media o anumang paraan na angkop sa iyo. Ang pagbabahagi ng kaalaman at kamalayan ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang mapalakas ang ating ugnayan sa isa’t isa at maitaguyod ang isang malusog at maunlad na lipunan.

Muli, maraming salamat sa pagbabasa ng mga sanaysay tungkol sa mental health. Maging mabuti nawa tayong tagapagdala ng pagbabago at pag-asa para sa ating sarili at sa ating kapwa.

You may also like:

TULA: Kahulugan, Elemento, Uri, at mga Halimbawa ng Tula

MAIKLING KWENTO: Uri, Elemento, Bahagi at Mga Halimbawa

ALAMAT: Kahulugan at Halimbawa ng mga Alamat

PABULA: Kahulugan, Elemento at Mga Halimbawa ng Pabula

EPIKO: Ano ang Epiko at mga Halimbawa Nito

Bugtong, Bugtong: 490+ Mga Halimbawa ng Bugtong na may Sagot

You may also like

• Pang-abay na Pananggi: Ano ang Pang-abay na Pananggi at mga Halimbawa nito
• El Filibusterismo Kabanata 8 Buod, Mga Tauhan, at Aral
• Pang-abay na Pamaraan: Ano ang Pang-abay na Pamaraan at mga Halimbawa nito
• Noli Me Tangere Kabanata 46 Buod, Mga Tauhan, at Aral
• El Filibusterismo Kabanata 28 Buod, Mga Tauhan, at Aral
• X (Twitter)
• More Networks

• Subscribe Now

[OPINYON] Kasama tayo sa laban para sa mental health

Already have Rappler+? Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism.

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Hindi lamang ito basta may kinalaman o konektado sa isip o pag-iisip kundi sa bahay-kalinga para sa mga baliw. Walang kapagurang biro ang kapag taga-Mandaluyong ka ay tatanungin ka kung sa “loob o sa labas.” 

Pasaring lamang ito sa lugar na kinatatayuan ng National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). 

O mas kilala bilang Mental.

Nagsimula bilang Insular Psychopathic Hospital, ito ay itinayo sa Kalye Nueve de Pebrero, Baryo Mauway, Mandaluyong, sa probinsiya ng Rizal noong Disyembre 17, 1928. Ito ang pinaglipatan ng mga pasyenteng galing sa “Insane Department” ng San Lazaro Hospital noong 1925 at ng City Sanitarium noong 1935.

Kumbaga, noon pa man, problema na rin ang pagdami ng may mga kapansanan sa pag-iisip. Sa kasalukuyan, ang NCMH ay nagsisilbi sa humigit-kumulang 4,000 pasyenteng naka-admit bawat araw at 56,000 konsultasyon kada taon. Ito ay mula sa NCMH lamang.

Ayon 2010 National Census, sa 1.4 milyong Filipinong may kapansanan, 14 porsiyento – o tinatayang 200,000 tao – ang tinatawag na may “mental disability.”

At paparami pa sila nang paparami.

Paano na sila? Silang kung bansagan ay “Abnoy,” “Agooyong,” “Brenda,” “Buang,” “Koala,” “Kulang-kulang,” “Gunggong,” “Luko-luko,” “Lukresia Kasilag,” “Maysayad,” “May Tililing,” “May Topak,” “Praning,” “Retarded,” “Sinto-sinto,” “Siraulo,” “Taong Grasa,” “Timang,” “Wazak,” o iba pang kabilang sa ikatlong pinakakaraniwang kapansanan sa buong bansa?

Sila ba ay ang may sikosis lamang? Kabilang ba rito ang mga nalulong sa alak o droga? Paano ang mga may matinding lungkot at takot? O ang mga nagsasalita nang mag-isa matapos silang salantain ng kalamidad? O ang mga nag-uulyanin? O ang mga bully at binu-bully? O ang mga nang-aabuso at inaabuso? O ang mga naa-adik sa computer games? O social media?

Kung salat na nga ba sila sa buhay, sapat na ba ang batas?

Mga panukala at batas

Marami ang naging pagtatangkang magkaroon ng mga panukalang-batas ukol sa lusog-isip, pero walang nakakapasa sa Senado at Kamara.

Una sa lahat ng panukalang-batas ay ang   ipinasa si Senador Orlando Mercado na Mental Health Act of 1989. Ito sana ang magdedeklara ng isang pambansang patakaran ukol sa lusog-isip, magtatatag ng Board of Mental Health sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan, at magsasama sa karamdaman sa isip sa saklaw ng Medicare.

Noong 1998, nabuo ang Executive Order 470 na lumikha sa Philippine Council for Mental Health. Diumano, hindi man lamang ito nakapagpulong.

Nagkaroon tayo ng National Mental Health Policy noong 2001 kung kailan ang dating Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan na si Dr. Manuel Dayrit ay bumuo ng maituturing na isang pambansang patakaran para sa lusog-isip.

Magpahanggang isalang ang An Act Establishing A National Mental Health Policy For The Purpose Of Enhancing The Delivery of Integrated Mental Health Services, Promoting And Protecting Persons Utilizing Psychiatric, Neurologic, And Psychosocial Health Services, Appropriating Funds Therefor, And Other Purposes.”

Noong Mayo 2, 2017, nakapasa sa Senado ang Philippine Mental Health Act of 2017 bilangSenate Bill 1354. Tinututukan nito ang pagsasanib sa pangkalahatang   pangangalaga sa kalusugan, kasama ang serbisyong mental, neurolohikal, at sikososyal. Bagamat ang pangunahing awtor nito ay si Senador Risa Hontiveros, na tagapangulo ng komite sa kalusugan sa Senado, kasama niyang nagsulong ng bill sina Senador Loren Legarda, Juan Edgardo Angara, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Vicente Sotto III (na ngayon ay Senate President na), Antonio Trillanes IV, at Joel Villanueva.

Maituturing ding kapanalig sa Kamara ng mga Representante sina Teddy Baguilat, Edward Maceda, Pia Cayetano, Karlo Nograles, Romero Quimbo, Chiqui Roa-Puno, Ron Salo, Yul Servo, Tom Villarin, Linabelle Villarica, at Isagani Zarate.

Ngayon, sana makatulong din ito sa tuloy-tuloy na pagiging positibo ng dati-rating negatibong tingin sa mental.

Nitong 21 Hunyo – noong International Day of Yoga mismo – pinirmahan ni President Rodrigo Duterte ang Republic Act 11036, mas kilala bilang Philippine Mental Health Law of 2018, na naglalayong ipagtanggol, itaguyod, at itaas ang antas ng lusog-isip – para mapabuti pa ang pagkakaloob ng kalinga para sa lusog-isip.

Ano ang lusog-isip? 

Teka, ano nga ba itong paulit-ulit na lusog-isip?

Mas kilala sa Ingles bilang “mental health,” ang lusog-isip ay ang estado ng kaginhawahan ng tàong: (a) mulàt sa kaniyang sariling kakayahan, (b) nakakayang harapin ang pangkaraniwang hamon ng buhay, (c) kapaki-pakinabang, at (d) nakakatulong sa pamayanan.  

Ano’t ano man, nariyan pa rin ang suliranin.

Bagamat kinikilala ang malaking papel ng pamahalaan, dapat nating bigyang-diin ang sama-samang tungkulin. Ito ay ang bayanihan ng lahat ng may kinalaman sa pangkalahatang kalusugan ng sambayanan.

Tinatayang may isang psychiatrist lamang sa bawat 200,000 Filipino. Kaya kailangang-kailangan pa rin ang tulong ng mga relihiyoso pati ng mga sikologo at iba pang kung tawagin ay mental health worker.

Halimbawa, noong dumagsa ang mga sakuna, tulad ng Yolanda at iba pa, ipinaloob ng World Health Organization (WHO) at Kagawaran ng Kalusugan ang lusog-isip sa pangunahing pangangailangang pang-kalusugan bilang bahagi ng rehabilitasyon.

Sa pamamagitan ng Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) na ito, sinanay ang mga doktor, nars, komadrona, at barangay health workers (BHW) na maisulong ang karapatan ng mga may karamdaman sa isip sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng agarang serbisyong pangkalusugan.

Ipinagpapatuloy ito hanggang ngayon. Dahil dito, dumami ang mga doktor mula sa rural health units ang nagkukusang tumingin sa mga problema sa lusog-isip.

Pinalalakas na rin ang sistema upang maging regular ang rasyon ng gamot para sa kanila. Wala na itong ipinagkaiba sa mga suplay ng lunas para sa altapresyon, diabetes, impeksiyon, at iba pang pangkaraniwang sakit.

Pagkilos para sa mental health

Sa kasalukuyan, kaliwa’t kanan ang mga pulong ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan para tiyakin ang tamang pagpapatupad ng naturang RA 11036.

Kasama rin tayo sa labang ito.

Ano’ng magagawa mo?

Simulan natin sa ating sarili.

Kung araw-araw nagagawa nating magsepilyo o magkaroon ng dental hygiene, bakit hindi natin gawin ang ating mental hygiene?

Ito ang agham ng pananatili ng lusog-isip na naging isang interdisiplaryong larangan na yumayakap sa sikolohiya, narsing, gawaing panlipunan, batas, at iba pang propesyon. Kabilang dito ay ang pagkakaroon ng malusog na asal upang maiwasan ang karamdamang mental.

Una, sanaying maging positibo. Matutong magpasalamat.

Ikalawa, kontrolin ang emosyon. Ipahayag ang damdamin mo sa tamang paraan.

Ikatlo, labanan ang istres. Panatilihin ang pangkalahatang kalusugan.

Malalagom natin ang mga prinsipyo ng pagkilos sa tulong ng tatlong T: (a) tuon; (b) tukoy; (c) tugon. 

Tuunan natin ng pansin ang lusog-isip.

Tukuyuin natin ang mga nangangailangan ng tulong.

Tugunan natin ang mga pangangailangan nila.

Upang di-malimutan, mangyaring tandaan ang tulang ito: 

Lusog-isip ay isipin At pagtuunan ng pansin. Karamdaman ay tukuyin, Tugunan ang suliranin!

– Rappler.com 

Ang TOYM Awardee for Literature na si Vim Nadera  ay nagtapos ng BS at MA Psychology sa University of Santo Tomas at ng PhD Philippine Studies sa University of the Philippines. Bilang performance art therapist, siya ay nakatulong na sa mga maykanser, may AIDS, nagdodroga, “comfort women,”  batang kalye, inabuso, naipit sa mga kalamidad na likas at likha ng tao, at mga nagdadalamhati. 

Add a comment

Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines .

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

How does this make you feel?

Related Topics

Recommended stories, {{ item.sitename }}, {{ item.title }}.

Checking your Rappler+ subscription...

Upgrade to Rappler+ for exclusive content and unlimited access.

Why is it important to subscribe? Learn more

You are subscribed to Rappler+

• Language Basics
• Advanced Grammar Topics
• Conversational Use
• Language & Culture
• Learning Resources
• Privacy Policy

Discussing Mental Health and Well-being in Filipino

• by Amiel Pineda
• January 21, 2024 February 26, 2024

Discussing mental health in Filipino supports children’s growth and creates a welcoming space for all ages. It improves emotional well-being, fosters open dialogue, and offers resources against stigma.

Key Takeaways

• Mental health stigma and cultural perspectives significantly impact how individuals in the Filipino community think about and address mental health concerns.
• Family and community support play a crucial role in promoting understanding and providing practical assistance for individuals facing mental health challenges.
• Barriers to seeking mental health help in the Filipino community include stigma, lack of awareness, financial constraints, and fear of judgment or losing independence.
• Promoting mental health awareness in the Filipino community involves recognizing and addressing stigma, providing access to resources and support, and fostering open conversations.

Understanding Mental Health Stigma

Understanding mental health stigma is crucial for creating a supportive environment for individuals with mental health issues. Stigma can have detrimental effects on individuals’ social well-being and prevent them from seeking help for their mental health problems. It’s important to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health.

By educating ourselves and engaging in open conversations, we can challenge these negative attitudes and promote acceptance. Advocacy, support, and understanding are essential in combating mental health stigma.

Filipino Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health

Shifting the focus from understanding mental health stigma, it’s essential to acknowledge the diverse cultural perspectives on mental health within Filipino communities.

Cultural perspectives on mental health significantly affect how individuals think about, relate to others, and address mental health concerns. These perspectives vary widely and can be influenced by cultural beliefs, practices, and values.

Stigma, family dynamics, and community acceptance also play significant roles in shaping these perspectives. Traditional healing practices, spirituality, and community support systems are integral to mental health care within specific cultural contexts.

Understanding these cultural perspectives is crucial for providing effective and inclusive support and promoting overall well-being. By recognizing and respecting the diverse cultural viewpoints on mental health, we can create more relevant and sensitive approaches to addressing mental health within Filipino communities.

Impact of Family and Community Support

Family and community support significantly impact an individual’s mental health and overall well-being by providing a sense of belonging and understanding, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Such support helps determine the nurturing environment one is surrounded by, promoting open communication and understanding of mental health challenges. It aids in reducing stigma around mental health, encouraging seeking professional help and treatment.

Engaging with family and community support can provide practical assistance, such as help with daily tasks or emotional support during difficult times. This kind of support is crucial as it can greatly influence one’s mental well-being, creating a network of care and understanding that’s essential for overall health.

Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Help

Feeling the impact of family and community support is essential, but when it comes to seeking mental health help, various barriers can stand in the way. These barriers include stigma and fear of judgment, influenced by cultural beliefs and attitudes towards mental health.

Additionally, lack of awareness or understanding of mental health conditions can prevent people from seeking help. Financial constraints and limited access to mental health services also hinder seeking help.

Lastly, the fear of being perceived as weak or losing independence can discourage individuals from seeking mental health help.

Overcoming these barriers is crucial for fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking the help they need.

Promoting Mental Health Awareness

You need to recognize the stigma surrounding mental health in society and understand how it affects individuals seeking help.

Access to mental health resources and support is crucial to promoting awareness and providing assistance to those in need.

It’s important to address these points to encourage open conversations and create a supportive environment for mental health.

Stigma in Society

Combatting societal stigma surrounding mental health is essential for promoting awareness and fostering open conversations. Stigma in society can hinder individuals from seeking help for mental health issues. Promoting mental health awareness helps combat stigma and encourages open conversations.

Education and understanding can help break down stigmas surrounding mental health conditions. Advocating for mental health support and resources can reduce societal stigma. Empowering individuals to seek help and support for their mental health promotes a stigma-free society.

Access to Resources

To promote mental health awareness effectively, it’s crucial to ensure access to resources such as crisis hotlines, treatment facilities, and support organizations. Encouraging individuals to seek help and support for mental health conditions is vital.

Providing crisis helpline numbers and available support services can make a significant difference. Emphasizing the importance of seeking help for mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental well-being.

It’s essential to highlight the availability of resources such as SAMHSA, National Helpline, and Crisis Text Line for individuals to access mental health support and treatment. By urging individuals to prioritize their mental health and seek help when needed, we can support them in leading a healthier and happier life.

Importance of Well-being Practices

You deserve to prioritize your well-being practices, as they’re crucial for maintaining your mental health and overall happiness.

Engaging in self-care techniques, stress management tips, and seeking psychological support resources can help reduce stress and enhance your quality of life.

Self-Care Techniques

Engaging in self-care techniques is essential for maintaining your mental and emotional well-being. Prioritizing self-care can significantly impact your overall mental health and resilience. Here are key self-care practices to consider:

• Mindfulness : Cultivating mindfulness through meditation or conscious breathing can help reduce stress and enhance emotional regulation.
• Exercise : Regular physical activity not only benefits your physical health but also contributes to improved mood and reduced anxiety.
• Relaxation techniques : Incorporating relaxation methods such as deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation can aid in stress management and promote a sense of calm.

Stress Management Tips

Establishing healthy boundaries and learning to say no to excessive commitments are essential for effectively managing stress and prioritizing your well-being. Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.

Engage in regular physical activity to boost your mood and improve overall well-being. Prioritize self-care activities such as hobbies, socializing, and adequate rest. Remember to seek professional help or support from loved ones when feeling overwhelmed.

Psychological Support Resources

Well-being practices such as stress management, healthy eating, exercise, and sleep play a crucial role in maintaining optimal mental health. It’s essential to embrace these practices and seek additional psychological support resources for a balanced well-being.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Developing healthy coping skills can improve resilience and contribute to better mental health outcomes.
• Seeking treatment for mental health is as important as seeking treatment for physical health.
• Encouraging individuals to talk about mental health openly reduces stigma and encourages support.

Integrating Filipino Traditional Healing Methods

Incorporating traditional healing methods into modern mental health practices can enhance the cultural relevance and holistic approach to mental well-being in the Filipino community. Traditional healing methods, such as herbal remedies, rituals, storytelling, and community ceremonies, can complement Western therapies and offer alternative perspectives on mental health.

Indigenous healers, known as albularyo or manghihilot, bring valuable insights and holistic approaches to mental well-being. Integrating these traditional healing methods acknowledges the spiritual and cultural significance in mental health care, providing a more comprehensive and inclusive support system.

Mental Health Resources in the Filipino Community

You may encounter mental health stigma and cultural barriers that can make it difficult to seek care in the Filipino community.

Accessing support services tailored to the unique experiences of Filipinos is crucial in addressing these challenges.

Understanding the available resources and knowing where to turn for culturally competent care can make a significant difference in your mental well-being.

Filipino Mental Health Stigma

Amidst the stigma surrounding mental health in the Filipino community, numerous resources are available to provide support and assistance. You can find help and understanding through organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Filipino Mental Health Initiative.

These resources offer culturally competent care and aim to address the unique cultural and language needs of the Filipino community . Additionally, there’s a growing awareness and advocacy within the community to combat mental health stigma, leading to the establishment of tailored mental health support groups and counseling services.

Efforts are being made to educate and empower the Filipino community to prioritize mental health and seek help without fear of judgment. You aren’t alone in this journey, and there are resources specifically designed to support you.

Cultural Barriers to Care

Cultural stigma and traditional beliefs present significant barriers to accessing mental health resources within the Filipino community.

The stigma surrounding mental health can make it difficult for Filipinos to seek professional help. Traditional beliefs and practices may clash with Western mental health approaches, hindering access to care.

The family-oriented culture often leads to reluctance in discussing personal struggles outside the family circle, further isolating individuals in need. Moreover, limited awareness and access to mental health resources within the Filipino community exacerbate the issue.

Language barriers also play a role, impeding effective communication with mental health professionals.

Addressing these cultural barriers is crucial in ensuring that Filipinos can access the support and resources they need for their mental well-being.

Access to Support Services

Accessing mental health resources and support services within the Filipino community is crucial for promoting well-being and addressing mental health concerns.

You have access to crisis hotlines like 988 and support websites like FindSupport.gov for immediate help. Additionally, SAMHSA’s National Helpline (800-662-HELP) can assist you in locating treatment facilities or providers.

Seeking help for mental health is important, and there are resources and support available in the Filipino community. Encouraging open conversations about mental health and the importance of seeking help can lead to a healthier and happier life.

Addressing Mental Health in Educational Settings

In creating a supportive and inclusive environment, educators can significantly impact students’ mental health and well-being in educational settings. By fostering a culture of understanding and empathy, educators play a crucial role in addressing mental health.

Implementing mental health education programs and raising awareness can help reduce stigma and promote a better understanding of mental health issues.

Providing access to mental health resources within educational institutions is essential for addressing students’ mental health needs.

Collaborating with mental health professionals and families is key to effectively addressing mental health in educational settings.

Together, we can create a nurturing environment where students feel supported and understood, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and success in school.

Nurturing a Supportive Environment

Creating a nurturing environment fosters a sense of belonging and support for individuals struggling with mental health concerns. To achieve this, encourage open conversations about mental health to create a safe and supportive space. Offer empathy, understanding, and validation to those facing mental health challenges, showing them that they aren’t alone.

Promote positive and healthy coping mechanisms within your social circles, fostering an atmosphere of mutual care and support. By creating an environment where seeking professional help is encouraged and supported, you can ensure that individuals feel empowered to take the necessary steps towards their mental well-being.

Educate yourself and others about mental health to reduce stigma and increase awareness, ultimately fostering a supportive community where everyone feels understood and accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How would you explain mental health and wellness.

You explain mental health and wellness by understanding that it encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, impacting how you think, feel, and behave. Developing healthy coping skills and seeking support are crucial for overall well-being.

How to Explain the Relationship Between Mental Health and Well-Being?

To explain the relationship between mental health and well-being, you need to understand that they’re intertwined. Your mental health affects your overall well-being, influencing your emotions, thoughts, and behavior, and vice versa.

What Is Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health in English?

Emotional well-being and mental health encompass your emotional, psychological, and social wellness. It affects how you think, feel, and behave at every stage of life. Seeking support and developing healthy coping skills can improve outcomes.

What Mental Health and Well-Being Means?

Understanding mental health and well-being means prioritizing your emotional, psychological, and social wellness. Recognizing warning signs and seeking help when needed is crucial. Investing in your mental health is as important as investing in your physical health for a fulfilling life.

How Can Discussing Mental Health and Well-being in Filipino Benefit Children’s Development?

Discussing mental health and well-being in Filipino can benefit children’s development by creating a supportive environment that promotes open communication and understanding. Introducing lullabies and nursery rhymes Filipino can help in soothing and calming children, improving their emotional well-being and overall development.

So, if you’re struggling with mental health, remember that seeking help is okay. Your community and family can be a source of support, and there are resources available to you.

Don’t let stigma or cultural barriers stop you from taking care of your well-being. It’s important to promote awareness and create a nurturing environment for mental health in the Filipino community.

You deserve to prioritize your mental health and seek the help you need.

Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

Filipinos face the mental toll of the Covid-19 pandemic — a photo essay

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

BY ORANGE OMENGAN

Depression, anxiety, and other mental health-related illnesses are on the rise among millennials as they face the pressure to be functional amidst pandemic fatigue. Omengan's photo essay shows three of the many stories of mental health battles, of struggling to stay afloat despite the inaccessibility of proper mental health services, which worsened due to the series of lockdowns in the Philippines.

“I was just starting with my new job, but the pandemic triggered much anxiety causing me to abandon my apartment in Pasig and move back to our family home in Mabalacat, Pampanga.” 

This was Mano Dela Cruz's quick response to the initial round of lockdowns that swept the nation in March 2020. 

Anxiety crept up on Mano, who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type II with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder traits. The 30-year-old writer is just one of many Filipinos experiencing the mental health fallout of the pandemic. 

Covid-19 infections in the Philippines have reached 1,149,925 cases as of May 17. The pandemic is unfolding simultaneously with the growing number of Filipinos suffering from mental health issues. At least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, according to Frances Prescila Cuevas, head of the National Mental Health Program under the Department of Health.

As the situation overwhelmed him, Mano had to let go of his full-time job. “At the start of the year, I thought I had my life all together, but this pandemic caused great mental stress on me, disrupting my routine and cutting my source of income,” he said. 

Mano has also found it difficult to stay on track with his medications. “I don’t have insurance, and I do not save much due to my medical expenses and psychiatric consultations. On a monthly average, my meds cost about P2,800. With my PWD (person with disability) card, I get to avail myself of the 20% discount, but it's still expensive. On top of this, I pay for psychiatric consultations costing P1,500 per session. During the pandemic, the rate increased to P2,500 per session lasting only 30 minutes due to health and safety protocols.”

The pandemic has resulted in substantial job losses as some businesses shut down, while the rest of the workforce adjusted to the new norm of working from home. 

Ryan Baldonado, 30, works as an assistant human resource manager in a business process outsourcing company. The pressure from work, coupled with stress and anxiety amid the community quarantine, took a toll on his mental health. 

Before the pandemic, Ryan said he usually slept for 30 hours straight, often felt under the weather, and at times subjected himself to self-harm. “Although the symptoms of depression have been manifesting in me through the years, due to financial concerns, I haven't been clinically diagnosed. I've been trying my best to be functional since I'm the eldest, and a lot is expected from me,” he said.

As extended lockdowns put further strain on his mental health, Ryan mustered the courage to try his company's online employee counseling service. “The free online therapy with a psychologist lasted for six months, and it helped me address those issues interfering with my productivity at work,” he said.

He was often told by family or friends: “Ano ka ba? Dapat mas alam mo na ‘yan. Psych graduate ka pa man din!” (As a psych graduate, you should know better!)

Ryan said such comments pressured him to act normally. But having a degree in psychology did not make one mentally bulletproof, and he was reminded of this every time he engaged in self-harming behavior and suicidal thoughts, he said.

“Having a degree in psychology doesn't save you from depression,” he said. 

Depression and anxiety are on the rise among millennials as they face the pressure to perform and be functional amid pandemic fatigue. 

Karla Longjas, 27, is a freelance artist who was initially diagnosed with major depression in 2017. She could go a long time without eating, but not without smoking or drinking. At times, she would cut herself as a way to release suppressed emotions. Karla's mental health condition caused her to get hospitalized twice, and she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2019. 

“One of the essentials I had to secure during the onset of the lockdown was my medication, for fear of running out,” Karla shared. 

With her family's support, Karla can afford mental health care. 

She has been spending an average of P10,000 a month on medication and professional fees for a psychologist and a psychiatrist. “The frequency of therapy depends on one's needs, and, at times, it involves two to three sessions a month,” she added. 

Amid the restrictions of the pandemic, Karla said her mental health was getting out of hand. “I feel like things are getting even crazier, and I still resort to online therapy with my psychiatrist,” she said.

“I've been under medication for almost four years now with various psychologists and psychiatrists. I'm already tired of constantly searching and learning about my condition. Knowing that this mental health illness doesn't get cured but only gets manageable is wearing me out,” she added.    In the face of renewed lockdowns, rising cases of anxiety, depression, and suicide, among others, are only bound to spark increased demand for mental health services.  

MANO DELA CRUZ

Writer Mano Dela Cruz, 30, is shown sharing stories of his manic episodes, describing the experience as being on ‘top of the world.’ Individuals diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type II suffer more often from episodes of depression than hypomania. Depressive periods, ‘the lows,’ translate to feelings of guilt, loss of pleasure, low energy, and thoughts of suicide. 

Mano says the mess in his room indicates his disposition, whether he's in a manic or depressive state. “I know that I'm not stable when I look at my room and it's too cluttered. There are days when I don't have the energy to clean up and even take a bath,” he says. 

Mano was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type II in 2016, when he was in his mid-20s. His condition comes with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder traits, requiring lifelong treatment with antipsychotics and mood stabilizers such as antidepressants.

Mano resorts to biking as a form of exercise and to release feel-good endorphins, which helps combat depression, according to his psychiatrist.

Mano waits for his psychiatric consultation at a hospital in Angeles, Pampanga.

Mano shares a laugh with his sister inside their home. “It took a while for my family to understand my mental health illness,” he says. It took the same time for him to accept his condition.

RYAN BALDONADO

Ryan Baldonado, 30, shares his mental health condition in an online interview. Ryan is in quarantine after experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.

KARLA LONGJAS

Karla Longjas, 27, does a headstand during meditative yoga inside her room, which is filled with bottles of alcohol. Apart from her medications, she practices yoga to have mental clarity, calmness, and stress relief. 

Karla shares that in some days, she has hallucinations and tries to sketch them. 

In April 2019, Karla was inflicting harm on herself, leading to her two-week hospitalization as advised by her psychiatrist. In the same year, she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.  The stigma around her mental illness made her feel so uncomfortable that she had to use a fake name to hide her identity. 

Karla buys her prescriptive medications in a drug store. Individuals clinically diagnosed with a psychosocial disability can avail themselves of the 20% discount for persons with disabilities.

Karla Longjas is photographed at her apartment in Makati. Individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) exhibit symptoms such as self-harm, unstable relationships, intense anger, and impulsive or self-destructive behavior. BPD is a dissociative disorder that is not commonly diagnosed in the Philippines.

This story is one of the twelve photo essays produced under the Capturing Human Rights fellowship program, a seminar and mentoring project

organized by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and the Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines. 

Check the other photo essays here.

Larry Monserate Piojo – “Terminal: The constant agony of commuting amid the pandemic”

Orange Omengan – “Filipinos face the mental toll of the Covid-19 pandemic”

Lauren Alimondo – “In loving memory”

Gerimara Manuel – “Pinagtatagpi-tagpi: Mother, daughter struggle between making a living and modular learning”

Pau Villanueva – “Hinubog ng panata: The vanishing spiritual traditions of Aetas of Capas, Tarlac”

Bernice Beltran – “Women's 'invisible work'”

Dada Grifon – “From the cause”

Bernadette Uy – “Enduring the current”

Mark Saludes – “Mission in peril”

EC Toledo – “From sea to shelf: The story before a can is sealed”

Ria Torrente – “HIV positive mother struggles through the Covid-19 pandemic”

Sharlene Festin – “Paradise lost”

PCIJ's investigative reports

THE SHRINKING GODS OF PADRE FAURA | READ .

7 MILLION HECTARES OF PHILIPPINE LAND IS FORESTED – AND THAT'S BAD NEWS | READ   

FOLLOWING THE MONEY: PH MEDIA LESSONS FOR THE 2022 POLL | READ

DIGGING FOR PROFITS: WHO OWNS PH MINES? | READ

THE BULACAN TOWN WHERE CHICKENS ARE SLAUGHTERED AND THE RIVER IS DEAD | READ  

• 24/7 Crisis Hotline:​
• 0917-899-8727
• 24/7 Crisis Hotline:
• DOH-NCMH 24/7 Crisis Hotline:​

MentalHealthPH

August 20, 2022

• #UsapTayo , Campaigns , Online
• End The Stigma!

Home » Blog » Philippine Literature and Mental Health

Philippine Literature and Mental Health

Writers/ Researchers: Rafael Reyes, Jasmin Cyrille Tecson Editor: K Ballesteros Peer Reviewer: Azie Marie Liban, Richardson dR Mojica Graphics: Billie Fuentes, Jacklyn Moral, Krystle Mae Labio Tweetchat Moderators: Gie Leanna Dela Pena, DG Ramos Patricia Sevilla  Space Moderators: Azie Marie Liban, Billie Fuentes, Lemuel Gallogo

“Crispin! Basilio! Mga anak ko!” This infamous line from Noli Me Tangere is probably one of the many lines that most Filipinos use outside the borders of our schools. Sadly, this is remembered by most Filipinos, not because of Sisa’s character as a loving mother but due to the depiction of Sisa’s mental health condition.

Mental health is an issue that’s been brought up in many novels and textbooks, and continue to be taken out of context. In a study about Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers, stigma was identified as the primary barrier preventing Filipinos from seeking mental health services [1].

Literature is widely defined as written works used to transmit culture. However, literature can also be classified into different forms including stories, oral tradition, and visual literature. In this regard, we also consider folklore, poetry, and dramas in the Philippine context as part of Filipino Literature [2].

This August, as we take pride in celebrating our “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa”, let’s dwell on the past of how mental health has been viewed in Philippine Literature and in what way can we make a move on how readers will view it moving forward.

To begin with, let us talk about Virgilio Enriquez and Sikolohiyang Pilipino. Filipino Psychology or “Sikolohiyang Pilipino” was first introduced as a movement to help understand the Filipino mind. This idea from Enriquez opened the doors for professionals to talk more about mental health and psychology in the Filipino context [3].

A study about Mental Health Literacy and Mental Health of Filipino College Students included five hundred nineteen (519) participants from six Philippine universities. According to the average Mental Health literacy scores, students from state universities showed significantly higher mental health literacy scores than those in private universities [4].

Nourishing mental health through literature

Reading has always been a timeless hobby. While the books and pieces we read today are an evolution of those that our ancestors engaged with, literature remains to be the best way to vicariously experience the world and the people who have stories to pass on.

What exactly does reading do for us? For one, it teaches us to be empathetic towards others. By engaging in the act of reading, we put ourselves in the shoes of the characters we see, and especially those we relate with. In particular, narratives can contain themes of illness and other health conditions to show the reader how it feels to experience pain and suffering under such conditions [5]. Understanding our bodies, then, is one step closer towards becoming empathic people.

Reading also provides a space for introspection or reflective thinking. Literature teaches us to become critical thinkers [5] and allows us to tap into our inner selves and ask how we were feeling [6]. In the realm of mental health literacy, being in touch with our thoughts and emotions has always been one of the underlying themes towards betterment.

A form of therapy involving literature has recently garnered interest in research: bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy, refers to the use of literature, film, or other media to better understand and treat various mental health problems [7]. Despite being initially coined in 1916, the Ancient Greeks have had a similar approach to dealing with distress, as do the published books in the 1950s that were geared towards teaching children virtues [7]. A recent study even identified bibliotherapy’s usefulness for mental health and dementia by fostering social connections through a person-centered approach [6].

Suffice to say that literature definitely has an impact on the human person—especially when engaging with the book and letting the book engage with you through empathy and a room for introspection. While it’s not explicitly recognized whenever we ask the average reader about why they like reading, it shows why to this day, reading has become a beloved pastime for many.

Integrating Mental Health into Philippine Literature

The question now becomes: how do we take the power of literature in improving one’s mental health and raising mental health literacy in the Philippines?

Professor Sarce, a lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, wrote a 2021 paper on the lack of discussion about illness in Philippine Literature discourse [5]. In the said paper, he provides a guide for tackling health and illness that will help students and teachers develop empathy [5]. He emphasizes the idea of “illness narratives” as a way to vicariously experience those who suffer from mental health problems [5]. Through this framework, he implies the need to have more literature that tackles illnesses, whether physical or mental, in order for more people to become more literate and empathic about having illnesses.

In a society where stigma and labeling against mental health is adamant, it is important that mental health is being talked about and written down in our literary works in a way that future generations will reflect on, learn from, and understand.

Pre-Session Activity

• Word Hunt: create a word hunt game with known philippine literature pieces

Session Questions

• What is your favorite piece of Philippine Literature?
• How is the act of reading literature a beneficial hobby?
• How can schools and other institutions utilize our local literature to promote mental health literacy?

References: 

[1] Martinez, A. B., Co, M., Lau, J., & Brown, J. (2020). Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: a systematic review. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 55(11), 1397–1413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01937-2

[2] https://study.com/learn/lesson/literature-forms-types-genres.html#:~:text=Literature%20Meaning,-What%20is%20literature&text=However%2C%20literature%20is%20not%20always,be%20classified%20into%20different%20forms

[3] https://www.ipl.org/essay/Importance-Of-Filipino-Psychology-F3JJYC92PCED6

[4] Argao, R. C., Reyes, M. E., & Delariarte, C. (2021). Mental Health Literacy and Mental Health of Filipino College Students. North American Journal of Psychology, 23, 437–452. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353511438_Mental_Health_Literacy_and_Mental_Health_of_Filipino_College_Students

[5] Sarce, J. P. (2021). Teaching Philippine literature and illness: Finding cure in humanities. Rupkatha Journal on Interdisciplinary Studies in Humanities, 13(2), 1-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.21659/rupkatha.v13n2.09

[6] Brewster, L., & McNicol, S. (2021). Bibliotherapy in practice: a person-centred approach to using books for mental health and dementia in the community. Medical Humanities, 47(4), e12-e12. https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/146978/1/WiM_draft_article_2020_08_11_clean.pdf

[7] Mumbauer, J., & Kelchner, V. (2017). Promoting mental health literacy through bibliotherapy in school-based settings. Professional School Counseling, 21(1), 1096-2409. https://doi.org/10.5330/1096-2409-21.1.85

Recommended Reading

Watch and Listen: Notes from Fanboys of Music and TV Series

July 30, 2021   Writers: Alvin Joseph Mapoy and Jerwin Regala Editor: K Ballesteros Researcher: Nel Fortes Graphics: Krystle Mae

KapwaMH Privacy Statement

Introduction  MentalHealthPH is committed to upholding your right to privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal data, similar to

Growing Strong: senior citizens & their mental health in the Philippines

May 10, 2021 Writers: K Ballesteros& Jerwin Regala Researchers: Angelica Jane Evangelista, Azie Marie Libanan &Gie Lenna Dela Peña  Graphics:

DISABILITY AND WELL-BEING

January 10, 2024   Writer: CJ Dumaguin, Kevin Miko Buac Researcher:  CJ Dumaguin, Kevin Miko Buac Graphics: Jia Moaral, Krystle

#MentalHealthPH

• About Our Organization
• How We Work
• Meet the Team
• Media Mentions
• #VoicesOfHope
• #40SecondsOfHope

Get Involved

• Add a Directory Listing
• Share Your Story
• Volunteer with Us
• Partner with Us
• Start Your Own Chapter
• Make a Donation

Join our newsletter!

• Don't worry, we hate spam too!

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Mental health of Filipino seafarers and its implications for seafarers’ education

International Maritime Health

Related Papers

Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology

Karina G. Fernandez

The Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression (CES-D) scale is a well-validated and frequently used measure for assessing symptoms associated with depression. This scale was developed primarily on the basis of American populations, however, and previous research has suggested that the original factor structure may not be appropriate for all populations. One such population is the Filipino population. This study represents the first study we are aware of to examine the factor structure of the CES-D scale in a sample of Filipino seafarers. Seafaring is considered a high stress and high risk occupation. Based on data collected from 135 Filipino seafarers, we conducted factor analyses to identify the appropriate factor structure for the CES-D in this population. We found that a three-factor structure better described the responses of Filipinos in our sample than the standard four-factor structure. The Filipino factor structure appears to collapse depressive affect and somatic fact...

Ernesto Jr. R Gregorio

Objective: The study documented the Filipino Seafarer's lived experiences related to their health conditions, access to available services and facilities, satisfaction with these, and their coping mechanisms aboard international shipping vessels. Method: Descriptive Phenomenology was used with 12 Filipino Seafarers, in-depth interviews were done in an industrial clinic in Manila port area during their annual medical examination. Results: The most common health-related problems mentioned by informants from dry cargo-tanker vessels were sexually-transmitted infections, hypertension, accidents, heart attack and homesickness. Hypertension, back, knee and muscle pains and liver enzyme elevations were frequently mentioned problems in luxury liners. Circumstances on board like unlimited supply, lack of control over food choices and negative attitude of the cook were perceived to increase seafarer's vulnerability to lifestyle diseases. Loneliness seemed to have contributed to their propensity to engage in high-risk behavior. Informants reported to having access to services and facilities on board as well as satisfaction with these. Gym facilities were seldom used because of work fatigue. Coping mechanism included watching DVDs, singing karaoke, playing video games, listening to music and fishing. Conclusion: Despite the reported access to health information and services, informants still reported occupational and lifestyle-related diseases that were perceived to be associated with the work situation that requires appropriate health promotion strategies.

Ariana Juranko

jonna dotimas

Maritime industry seen as one of the fastest growing jobs now a days and it provides enormous numbers of employee comprising of individuals from several countries. Maritime industry creates good impact on Philippines economy thru the help of Filipino modern heroes also known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). Filipino seafarers are competitive among others due on reliable and hardworking personality. Despite of that, maritime industry provides a lot of challenges on each individual which is part of the industry and it is entitled as one of the most critical jobs around the world. This study focusses on the challenges may encountered of Filipino seafarers on board in order to propose work-life balance. With intent to help Filipino seafarers to improve their way on how they handle daily life on and off the vessel. The researchers used descriptive study to provide naturally occurring health status, behavior, attitude, or other characteristic of particular group. Utilizing the data gat...

International Journal of Community & Family Medicine

Olaf Jensen

Marta Grubman-Nowak

Sanley Abila , Lijun Tang

Lyrad Porley

SUMMARY Although the Philippines provides more than one quarter of the world's seafarers employed aboard internationally trading ships, and its position as the world's leading supplier of ships' crews seems assured, it has not been possible for crew managers, officers of international agencies, associations and other interested parties to find reliable information about Filipino seafarers and their circumstances in one publication. This report modestly aims to remedy this gap, by providing a profile of the Philippine seafarers in the global labour market. Between October 2002 and January 2003, separate surveys were conducted, of seafarers (n=374) and students (n=658) enrolled in 11 maritime colleges, with the aim of generating a dependable profile of Filipino seafarers. The survey results were subsequently amplified by a search of available documentation and interviews with crewing managers, senior government and trade union officials. Websites and publications by government agencies, employers and unions, and seafarer organizations provided other data.

Journal of Medicine, University of Santo Tomas

Maria Minerva Calimag

Background: The seafarers’ poor mental health has been associated with significant morbidity, inefficiency, and accidents on board. Mental and physical health is largely dependent on the way seafarers handle stressors. Anchored on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study aimed to identify the typology of Filipino merchant marine ratings according to their coping strategies to stressors on board vessels. Methods: Thirty-seven (37) Filipino merchant marine ratings participated in this study. They were chosen by purposive sampling. They rank-ordered 25 opinion statements on various stressors and coping mechanisms. The rank-ordered sorts were subjected to by-person factor analysis with Varimax rotation using the PQ Method version 2.32. The resulting factors were interpreted using the inductive approach, aided by the interview done after Q sorting. Results: Four factors were generated: solution-focused seafarers, stressor-focused seafarers, self-management–focused seafare...

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Entertainment

'There Will Be Lumpia:' What Mom's Food Says About Love and Family (Exclusive)

'Bite By Bite' author Aimee Nezhukumatathil reflects on how her mother showed love through food in an exclusive excerpt from her new book

Articulate Photography by Tenola; Ecco

So often, the first and most powerful memories we have of our parents and families of origin center around food. The flavors of our childhood can contextualize who we are and where we came from, and who we want to become.

In her new book, Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees , poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil interrogates the way food and drink intertwines with our human experiences and identities and explores the often murky boundaries between heritage and memory. Below, in an exclusive excerpt for PEOPLE, she reflects on how a teenage slumber party taught her to appreciate an important food from her Filipino culture.

On my 14th birthday, I didn't even want to have lumpia on the table. My parents said I could have a sleepover and pizza, and we had access to 80s cable television, which meant movies like T he Legend of Billie Jean or The Lost Boys or The Goonies playing on HBO.

This was a big deal—it was huge, in fact. My immigrant parents were never fond of my spending the night at other people's houses, and I can imagine them wanting to protect my younger sister and me from all the dreadful shenanigans they had witnessed on sitcoms and movies of the time: Prank calls! Sneaking out to meet boys! Piercing ears with a needle! Smoking and drinking! 

This is not an essay that stays small and embarrassed. 

Even if I never got a single present on this birthday, I already felt so lucky: both parents were off from work; neither was even on call (which usually meant leaving before cake and presents and not coming home till the wee hours of the morning after racing back to the hospital for a patient emergency). My sister and I still had rooms right next door to each other. I loved that, sharing a wall we could tap-tap-tap in our own sister Morse code, instead of saying goodnight out loud and waking our parents. There was nothing more I could ask for. 

This is not an essay that is ashamed. 

Courtesy of Aimee Nezhukumatathil

One of the reasons this slumber party at our house was special and unconventional was because we lived on the psychiatric hospital grounds, right next to the patients' baseball stadium. My parents couldn't believe my friends' parents let their kids spend the night. But as my friend put it: Aimee, my parents said it's the safest place in town! There's security cars and cameras all over the place! 

The other reason this was going to be a big deal was that there was going to be pizza. Capozzi's Pizzeria pizza, to be exact—the best in town, with its signature thick and spicy pepperonis, scattered and almost burnt every time. Every teen in town loved that pizza. 

What I didn't know is that my mom had rolled three dozen lumpia the night before. Lumpia is a deep-fried finger food in the Philippines, made of a filling of chicken or ground beef, carrots and green beans, and my mom puts raisins in for a hint of sweetness. The filling is wrapped and folded into a small roll, a little thicker than my thumb, and these rolls are fried to a golden crisp and usually served with a sweet chili sauce for dipping. Even though I loved this party food so much, I told her no, we didn't need lumpia at a party. Pizza and cake and chips and two liters of pop was all we needed. 

A party without lumpia! was her astonished reply. No. We don't do that. No. There will be lumpia! 

The thing is, for me, lumpia has always been synonymous with gatherings, with parties. I've always thought that, since before I could say a complete sentence, as there are pictures with me holding a single lumpia in my chubby fist, and I still think it even now. You know it's a true party when someone brings a tray of lumpia. 

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer , from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Once my friends started trickling in on that snowy December night, mom started up the frypan to heat the canola oil for frying. I remember taking my friends' coats and wanting to hide and stay there in the coat closet. None of my friends had lumpia for their birthday, and even though it remains one of my favorite finger foods, I just wanted it to be like everyone else's birthdays. I should have known the very fact that a 14-year-old was having a birthday sleepover at a mental asylum meant I'd never ever be like everyone else, so it would be pointless to pretend. 

This is a food essay that remembers merriment. 

Until I was in second grade, we lived in Chicago, and my parents' Filipino friends and neighbors gathered pretty regularly for potlucks. The kids would scamper down to shag-carpeted basements to dance and play. I remember running up furry stairs to get fuel-lumpia, one in each hand, then running back downstairs so I wouldn't miss the next plottings and stratagems of a game of tag or Ghost in the Graveyard. Songs like "You Could Do Magic," by the band America, or "You are the Woman," by Firefall, would be blasting, and soon the grown-ups would call us to come and dance in front of them. Woe to the Filipino child who did not want to dance, or worse, didn't like dancing at all. 

Those are some of the dearest moments of my childhood: the exquisite glee and butterflies in my tummy while performing some rudimentary choreographed routine with a lumpia in each hand, like tiny batons for that little girl. And when the song was over, applause would erupt from the edges of the party, and then I'd bite and crunch all the lumpia I could. Why did I somehow forget that elation, those dances, when I was 14? 

This is the apology of all apologies to my parents for ever being embarrassed of our food. My friends that did try something new—most of them for the first time—even finished theirs, some said, Great job, Dr. Paz! A couple of them wouldn't even try a bite, literally wrinkling their nose at the plateful my mom artfully stacked in a pretty pyramid. Instead of wanting to apologize that there was lumpia on the table of pizza and chips and dip, I thought of my mom taking the time off her busy schedule to tenderly cut each carrot and bean. 

That was the last time I ever felt shame about my food. Because in watching people who I considered dear pals not even try something so lovingly made with my mother's hands, I gained pride instead. I think I had just one slice of pizza. The rest of my meal was all lumpia. 

Even now, when my mother hears we will be visiting her and my father in Florida, she will chop by hand all the ingredients for the lumpia filling, as she knows we are all hoping for a giant platter of them for at least one of our meals. Her grandsons love the crunch. Her son-in-law from Kansas loves the crunch. And most of all, her eldest daughter loves that crunch—it's the closest feeling to what it's like to have a room full of elders erupt into applause as you dance and twirl like you were six years old, one lumpia in each hand.

Adapted from  Bite by Bite  by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Copyright © 2024 by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Excerpted by permission of Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Bite by Bite  by Aimee Nezhukumatathil is on sale now, wherever books are sold.

Related Articles

Advertisement

Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: a systematic review

• Open access
• Published: 20 August 2020
• Volume 55 , pages 1397–1413, ( 2020 )

Cite this article

You have full access to this open access article

• Andrea B. Martinez   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4437-769X 1 , 2 ,
• Melissa Co 3 ,
• Jennifer Lau 2 &
• June S. L. Brown 2  

291k Accesses

53 Citations

143 Altmetric

18 Mentions

Explore all metrics

This systematic review aims to synthesise the evidence on behavioural and attitudinal patterns as well as barriers and enablers in Filipino formal help-seeking.

Using PRISMA framework, 15 studies conducted in 7 countries on Filipino help-seeking were appraised through narrative synthesis.

Filipinos across the world have general reluctance and unfavourable attitude towards formal help-seeking despite high rates of psychological distress. They prefer seeking help from close family and friends. Barriers cited by Filipinos living in the Philippines include financial constraints and inaccessibility of services, whereas overseas Filipinos were hampered by immigration status, lack of health insurance, language difficulty, experience of discrimination and lack of acculturation to host culture. Both groups were hindered by self and social stigma attached to mental disorder, and by concern for loss of face, sense of shame, and adherence to Asian values of conformity to norms where mental illness is considered unacceptable. Filipinos are also prevented from seeking help by their sense of resilience and self-reliance, but this is explored only in qualitative studies. They utilize special mental health care only as the last resort or when problems become severe. Other prominent facilitators include perception of distress, influence of social support, financial capacity and previous positive experience in formal help.

We confirmed the low utilization of mental health services among Filipinos regardless of their locations, with mental health stigma as primary barrier, while resilience and self-reliance as coping strategies were cited in qualitative studies. Social support and problem severity were cited as prominent facilitators.

Similar content being viewed by others

Factors Associated with Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Asian Americans: a Systematic Review

Predictors of Help-Seeking for Mental Health Treatment Among Latinos

Predictors of professional help-seeking for emotional problems in afghan and iraqi refugees in australia: findings from the building a new life in australia database.

Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

Introduction

Mental illness is the third most common disability in the Philippines. Around 6 million Filipinos are estimated to live with depression and/or anxiety, making the Philippines the country with the third highest rate of mental health problems in the Western Pacific Region [ 1 ]. Suicide rates are pegged at 3.2 per 100,000 population with numbers possibly higher due to underreporting or misclassification of suicide cases as ‘undetermined deaths’ [ 2 ]. Despite these figures, government spending on mental health is at 0.22% of total health expenditures with a lack of health professionals working in the mental health sector [ 1 , 3 ]. Elevated mental health problems also characterise ‘overseas Filipinos’, that is, Filipinos living abroad [ 4 ]. Indeed, 12% of Filipinos living in the US suffer from psychological distress [ 5 ], higher than the US prevalence rate of depression and anxiety [ 1 ]. Long periods of separation from their families and a different cultural background may make them more prone to acculturative stress, depression, anxiety, substance use and trauma especially those who are exposed to abuse, violence and discrimination whilst abroad [ 6 ].

One crucial barrier to achieving well-being and improved mental health among both ‘local’ and overseas Filipinos is their propensity to not seek psychological help [ 7 , 8 ]. Not only are help-seeking rates much lower than rates found in general US populations [ 9 ], they are also low compared to other minority Asian groups [ 10 ]. Yet, few studies have been published on Filipino psychological help-seeking either in the Philippines or among those overseas [ 11 ]. Most available studies have focused on such factors as stigma tolerance, loss of face and acculturation factors [ 12 , 13 ].

To date, no systematic review of studies on Filipino psychological help-seeking, both living in the Philippines and overseas, has been conducted. In 2014, Tuliao conducted a narrative review of the literature on Filipino mental health help-seeking in the US which provided a comprehensive treatise on cultural context of Filipino help-seeking behavior [ 11 ]. However, new studies have been published since which examine help-seeking in other country contexts, such as Norway, Iceland, Israel and Canada [ 6 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Alongside recent studies on local Filipinos, these new studies can provide basis for comparison of the local and overseas Filipinos [ 7 , 8 , 12 , 17 ].

This systematic review aims to critically appraise the evidence on behavioural and attitudinal patterns of psychological help-seeking among Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad and examine barriers and enablers of their help-seeking. While the majority of studies undertaken have been among Filipino migrants especially in the US where they needed to handle additional immigration challenges, studying help-seeking attitudes and behaviours of local Filipinos is important as this may inform those living abroad [ 10 , 13 , 18 ]. This review aims to: (1) examine the commonly reported help-seeking attitudes and behaviors among local and overseas Filipinos with mental health problems; and (2) expound on the most commonly reported barriers and facilitators that influence their help-seeking.

The review aims to synthesize available data on formal help-seeking behavior and attitudes of local and overseas Filipinos for their mental health problems, as well as commonly reported barriers and facilitators. Formal psychological help-seeking behavior is defined as seeking services and treatment, such as psychotherapy, counseling, information and advice, from trained and recognized mental health care providers [ 19 ]. Attitudes on psychological help-seeking refer to the evaluative beliefs in seeking help from these professional sources [ 20 ].

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria for the studies were the following: (1) those that address either formal help-seeking behavior OR attitude related to a mental health AND those that discuss barriers OR facilitators of psychological help-seeking; (2) those that involve Filipino participants, or of Filipino descent; in studies that involve multi-cultural or multi-ethnic groups, they must have at least 20% Filipino participants with disaggregated data on Filipino psychological help-seeking; (3) those that employed any type of study designs, whether quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods; (4) must be full-text peer-reviewed articles published in scholarly journals or book chapters, with no publication date restrictions; (5) written either in English or Filipino; and (6) available in printed or downloadable format. Multiple articles based on the same research are treated as one study/paper.

Exclusion criteria were: (1) studies in which the reported problems that prompted help-seeking are medical (e.g. cancer), career or vocational (e.g., career choice), academic (e.g., school difficulties) or developmental disorders (e.g., autism), unless specified that there is an associated mental health concern (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma); (2) studies that discuss general health-seeking behaviors; (3) studies that are not from the perspective of mental health service users (e.g., counselor’s perspective); (4) systematic reviews, meta-analyses and other forms of literature review; and (5) unpublished studies including dissertations and theses, clinical reports, theory or methods papers, commentaries or editorials.

Search strategy and study selection

The search for relevant studies was conducted through electronic database searching, hand-searching and web-based searching. Ten bibliographic databases were searched in August to September 2018: PsychInfo, Global Health, MedLine, Embase, EBSCO , ProQuest , PubMed , Science Direct, Scopus and Emerald Insight. The following search terms were used: “help-seeking behavior” OR “utilization of mental health services” OR “access to mental health services” OR “psychological help-seeking” AND “barriers to help-seeking” OR “facilitators of help-seeking” AND “mental health” OR “mental health problem” OR “mental disorder” OR “mental illness” OR “psychological distress” OR “emotional problem” AND “Filipino” OR “Philippines”. Filters were used to select only publications from peer-reviewed journals. Internet searches through Google Scholar and websites of Philippine-based publications were also performed using the search term “Filipino mental health help-seeking” as well as hand-searching of reference lists of relevant studies. A total of 3038 records were obtained. Duplicates were removed and a total of 2659 records were screened for their relevance based on their titles and abstracts.

Preliminary screening of titles and abstracts of articles resulted in 162 potentially relevant studies, their full-text papers were obtained and were reviewed for eligibility by two reviewers (AM and MC). Divergent opinions on the results of eligibility screening were deliberated and any further disagreement was resolved by the third reviewer (JB). A total of 15 relevant studies (from 24 papers) published in English were included in the review and assessed for quality. There were seven studies with multiple publications (two of them have 3 papers) and a core paper was chosen on the basis of having more comprehensive key study data on formal help-seeking. Results of the literature search are reported in Fig.  1 using the PRISMA diagram [ 21 ]. A protocol for this review was registered at PROSPERO Registry of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination of the University of York ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO ; ID: CRD42018102836).

PRISMA flow diagram

Data extraction and quality assessment

Data extracted by the main author were crosschecked by a second reviewer (JB). A data extraction table with thematic headings was prepared and pilot tested for two quantitative and two qualitative studies to check data comparability. Extraction was performed using the following descriptive data: (1) study information (e.g. name of authors, publication date, study location, setting, study design, measurement tools used); (2) socio-demographic characteristics of participants (e.g. sample size, age, gender); and (3) overarching themes on psychological help-seeking behavior and attitudes, as well as barriers and facilitators of help-seeking.

Two reviewers (AM and MC) did quality assessment of the studies separately, using the following criteria: (1) relevance to the research question; (2) transparency of the methods; (3) robustness of the evidence presented; and (4) soundness of the data interpretation and analysis. Design-specific quality assessment tools were used in the evaluation of risk of bias of the studies, namely: (1) Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist [ 22 ]; and (2) Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies by the Effective Public Health Practice Project [ 23 ]. The appraisals for mixed-methods studies were done separately for quantitative and qualitative components to ensure trustworthiness [ 24 ] of the quality of each assessment.

For studies reported in multiple publications, quality assessment was done only on the core papers [ 25 ]. All the papers ( n  = 6) assessed for their qualitative study design (including the 4 mixed-methods studies) met the minimum quality assessment criteria of fair ( n  = 1) and good ( n  = 5) and were, thus, included in the review. Only 11 out of the 13 quantitative studies (including the 4 mixed-methods studies) satisfied the minimum ratings for the review, with five getting strong quality rating. The two mixed-methods studies that did not meet the minimum quality rating for quantitative designs were excluded as sources of quantitative data but were used in the qualitative data analysis because they satisfied the minimum quality rating for qualitative designs.

Strategy for data analysis

Due to the substantial heterogeneity of the studies in terms of participant characteristics, study design, measurement tools used and reporting methods of the key findings, narrative synthesis approach was used in data analysis to interpret and integrate the quantitative and qualitative evidence [ 26 , 27 ]. However, one crucial methodological limitation of studies in this review is the lack of agreement on what constitutes formal help-seeking. Some researchers include the utilization of traditional or indigenous healers as formal help-seeking, while others limit the concept to professional health care providers. As such, consistent with Rickwood and Thomas’ definition of formal help-seeking [ 19 ], data extraction and analysis were done only on those that reported utilization of professional health care providers.

Using a textual approach, text data were coded using both predetermined and emerging codes [ 28 ]. They were then tabulated, analyzed, categorized into themes and integrated into a narrative synthesis [ 29 ]. Exemplar quotations and author interpretations were also used to support the narrative synthesis. The following were the themes on barriers and facilitators of formal help-seeking: (1) psychosocial barriers/facilitators, which include social support from family and friends, perceived severity of mental illness, awareness of mental health issues, self-stigmatizing beliefs, treatment fears and other individual concerns; (2) socio-cultural barriers/facilitators, which include the perceived social norms and beliefs on mental health, social stigma, influence of religious beliefs, and language and acculturation factors; and (3) systemic/structural and economic barriers/facilitators, which include financial or employment status, the health care system and its accessibility, availability and affordability, and ethnicity, nativity or immigration status.

Study and participant characteristics

The 15 studies were published between 2002 and 2018. Five studies were conducted in the US, four in the Philippines and one study each was done in Australia, Canada, Iceland, Israel and Norway. One study included participants working in different countries, the majority were in the Middle East. Data extracted from the four studies done in the Philippines were used to report on the help-seeking behaviors and attitudes, and barriers/facilitators to help-seeking of local Filipinos, while the ten studies conducted in different countries were used to report on help-seeking of overseas Filipinos. Nine studies were quantitative and used a cross-sectional design except for one cohort study; the majority of them used research-validated questionnaires. Four studies used mixed methods with surveys and open-ended questionnaires, and another two were purely qualitative studies that used interviews and focus group discussions. Only three studies recruited participants through random sampling and the rest used purposive sampling methods. All quantitative studies used questionnaires in measures of formal help-seeking behaviors, and western-standardized measures to assess participants’ attitudes towards help-seeking. Qualitative studies utilized semi-structured interview guides that were developed to explore the psychological help-seeking of participants.

A total of 5096 Filipinos aged 17–70 years participated in the studies. Additionally, 13 studies reported on the mean age of participants, with the computed overall mean age at 39.52 (SD 11.34). The sample sizes in the quantitative studies ranged from 70 to 2285, while qualitative studies ranged from 10 to 25 participants. Of the participants, 59% ( n  = 3012) were female which is probably explained by five studies focusing on Filipino women. Ten studies were conducted in community settings, five in health or social centre-based settings and 1 in a university (Table 1 ).

Formal help-seeking behaviors

12 studies examined the formal help-seeking behaviors of Filipinos (Table 2 ), eight of them were from community-based studies and four were from centre-based studies. Nine studies reported on formal help-seeking of overseas Filipinos and three reported on local Filipinos.

Community-based vs health/social centres Data from quantitative community studies show that the rates of formal help-seeking behaviors among the Filipino general population ranged from 2.2% [ 30 ] to 17.5% [ 6 ]. This was supported by reports from qualitative studies where participants did not seek help at all. The frequency of reports of formal help-seeking from studies conducted in crisis centres and online counseling tended to be higher. For instance, the rate of engagement in online counseling among overseas Filipinos was 10.68% [ 31 ], those receiving treatment in crisis centers was 39.32% [ 17 ] while 100% of participants who were victims of intimate partner violence were already receiving help from a women’s support agency [ 8 , 32 ].

Local vs overseas Filipinos’ formal help-seeking The rate of formal psychological help-seeking of local Filipinos was at 22.19% [ 12 ] while overseas rates were lower and ranged from 2.2% of Filipino Americans [ 30 ] to 17.5% of Filipinos in Israel [ 6 ]. Both local and overseas Filipinos indicated that professional help is sought only as a last resort because they were more inclined to get help from family and friends or lay network [ 7 , 16 ].

Attitudes towards formal help-seeking

13 studies reported on participants’ attitudes towards seeking formal help. Seven studies identified family and friends as preferred sources of help [ 7 , 14 , 16 ] rather than mental health specialists and other professionals even when they were already receiving help from them [ 17 , 32 ]. When Filipinos seek professional help, it is usually done in combination with other sources of care [ 13 ] or only used when the mental health problem is severe [ 14 , 16 , 33 ]. Other studies reported that in the absence of social networks, individuals prefer to rely on themselves [ 32 , 33 ].

Community-based vs health/social centres Community-based studies reported that Filipinos have negative attitudes marked by low stigma tolerance towards formal help-seeking [ 7 , 14 , 16 ]. However, different findings were reported by studies conducted in crisis centres. Hechanova et al. found a positive attitude towards help-seeking among users of online counseling [ 31 ], whereas Cabbigat and Kangas found that Filipinos in crisis centres still prefer receiving help from religious clergy or family members, with mental health units as the least preferred setting in receiving help [ 17 ]. This is supported by the findings of Shoultz and her colleagues who reported that Filipino women did not believe in disclosing their problems to others [ 32 ].

Local vs overseas Filipinos Filipinos, regardless of location, have negative attitudes towards help-seeking, except later-generation Filipino migrants who have been acculturated in their host countries and tended to have more positive attitudes towards mental health specialists [ 10 , 13 , 15 , 34 ]. However, this was only cited in quantitative studies. Qualitative studies reported the general reluctance of both overseas and local Filipinos to seek help.

Barriers in formal help-seeking

All 15 studies examined a range of barriers in psychological help-seeking (Table 3 ). The most commonly endorsed barriers were: (1) financial constraints due to high cost of service, lack of health insurance, or precarious employment condition; (2) self-stigma, with associated fear of negative judgment, sense of shame, embarrassment and being a disgrace, fear of being labeled as ‘crazy’, self-blame and concern for loss of face; and (3) social stigma that puts the family’s reputation at stake or places one’s cultural group in bad light.

Local vs overseas Filipinos In studies conducted among overseas Filipinos, strong adherence to Asian values of conformity to norms is an impediment to help-seeking but cited only in quantitative studies [ 10 , 13 , 15 , 34 ] while perceived resilience, coping ability or self-reliance was mentioned only in qualitative studies [ 14 , 16 , 33 ]. Other common barriers to help-seeking cited by overseas Filipinos were inaccessibility of mental health services, immigration status, sense of religiosity, language problem, experience of discrimination and lack of awareness of mental health needs [ 10 , 13 , 18 , 34 ]. Self-reliance and fear of being a burden to others as barriers were only found among overseas Filipinos [ 6 , 16 , 32 ]. On the other hand, local Filipinos have consistently cited the influence of social support as a hindrance to help-seeking [ 7 , 17 ].

Stigmatized attitude towards mental health and illness was reported as topmost barriers to help-seeking among overseas and local Filipinos. This included notions of mental illness as a sign of personal weakness or failure of character resulting to loss of face. There is a general consensus in these studies that the reluctance of Filipinos to seek professional help is mainly due to their fear of being labeled or judged negatively, or even their fear of fueling negative perceptions of the Filipino community. Other overseas Filipinos were afraid that having mental illness would affect their jobs and immigration status, especially for those who are in precarious employment conditions [ 6 , 16 ].

Facilitators of formal help-seeking

All 15 studies discussed facilitators of formal help-seeking, but the identified enablers were few (Table 4 ). Among the top and commonly cited factors that promote help-seeking are: (1) perceived severity of the mental health problem or awareness of mental health needs; (2) influence of social support, such as the presence/absence of family and friends, witnessing friends seeking help, having supportive friends and family who encourage help-seeking, or having others taking the initiative to help; and (3) financial capacity.

Local vs overseas Filipinos Studies on overseas Filipinos frequently cited financial capacity, immigration status, language proficiency, lower adherence to Asian values and stigma tolerance as enablers of help-seeking [ 15 , 30 , 32 , 34 ], while studies done on local Filipinos reported that awareness of mental health issues and previous positive experience of seeking help serve as facilitator [ 7 , 12 ].

Community-based vs health/social centres Those who were receiving help from crisis centres mentioned that previous positive experience with mental health professionals encouraged their formal help-seeking [ 8 , 17 , 31 ]. On the other hand, community-based studies cited the positive influence of encouraging family and friends as well as higher awareness of mental health problems as enablers of help-seeking [ 12 , 14 , 16 ].

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review conducted on psychological help-seeking among Filipinos, including its barriers and facilitators. The heterogeneity of participants (e.g., age, gender, socio-economic status, geographic location or residence, range of mental health problems) was large.

Filipino mental health help-seeking behavior and attitudes The rate of mental health problems appears to be high among Filipinos both local and overseas, but the rate of help-seeking is low. This is consistent with findings of a study among Chinese immigrants in Australia which reported higher psychological distress but with low utilization of mental health services [ 35 ]. The actual help-seeking behavior of both local and overseas Filipinos recorded at 10.72% ( n  = 461) is lower than the 19% of the general population in the US [ 36 ] and 16% in the United Kingdom (UK) [ 37 ], and even far below the global prevalence rate of 30% of people with mental illness receiving treatment [ 38 ]. This finding is also comparable with the low prevalence rate of mental health service use among the Chinese population in Hong Kong [ 39 ] and in Australia [ 35 ], Vietnamese immigrants in Canada [ 30 ], East Asian migrants in North America [ 41 ] and other ethnic minorities [ 42 ] but is in sharp contrast with the increased use of professional help among West African migrants in The Netherlands [ 43 ].

Most of the studies identified informal help through family and friends as the most widely utilized source of support, while professional service providers were only used as a last resort. Filipinos who are already accessing specialist services in crisis centres also used informal help to supplement professional help. This is consistent with reports on the frequent use of informal help in conjunction with formal help-seeking among the adult population in UK [ 44 ]. However, this pattern contrasts with informal help-seeking among African Americans who are less likely to seek help from social networks of family and friends [ 45 ]. Filipinos also tend to use their social networks of friends and family members as ‘go-between’ [ 46 ] for formal help, serving to intercede between mental health specialists and the individual. This was reiterated in a study by Shoultz et al. (2009) in which women who were victims of violence are reluctant to report the abuse to authorities but felt relieved if neighbours and friends would interfere for professional help in their behalf [ 32 ].

Different patterns of help-seeking among local and overseas Filipinos were evident and may be attributed to the differences in the health care system of the Philippines and their host countries. For instance, the greater use of general medical services by overseas Filipinos is due to the gatekeeper role of general practitioners (GP) in their host countries [ 47 ] where patients have to go through their GPs before they get access to mental health specialists. In contrast, local Filipinos have direct access to psychiatrists or psychologists without a GP referral. Additionally, those studies conducted in the Philippines were done in urban centers where participants have greater access to mental health specialists. While Filipinos generally are reluctant to seek help, later-generation overseas Filipinos have more positive attitudes towards psychological help-seeking. Their exposure and acculturation to cultures that are more tolerant of mental health stigma probably influenced their more favorable attitude [ 41 , 48 ].

Prominent barrier themes in help-seeking Findings of studies on frequently endorsed barriers in psychological help-seeking are consistent with commonly reported impediments to health care utilization among Filipino migrants in Australia [ 49 ] and Asian migrants in the US [ 47 , 50 ]. The same barriers in this review, such as preference for self-reliance as alternative coping strategy, poor mental health awareness, perceived stigma, are also identified in mental health help-seeking among adolescents and young adults [ 51 ] and among those suffering from depression [ 52 ].

Social and self-stigmatizing attitudes to mental illness are prominent barriers to help-seeking among Filipinos. Social stigma is evident in their fears of negative perception of the Filipino community, ruining the family reputation, or fear of social exclusion, discrimination and disapproval. Self-stigma manifests in their concern for loss of face, sense of shame or embarrassment, self-blame, sense of being a disgrace or being judged negatively and the notion that mental illness is a sign of personal weakness or failure of character [ 16 ]. The deterrent role of mental health stigma is consistent with the findings of other studies [ 51 , 52 ]. Overseas Filipinos who are not fully acculturated to the more stigma-tolerant culture of their host countries still hold these stigmatizing beliefs. There is also a general apprehension of becoming a burden to others.

Practical barriers to the use of mental health services like accessibility and financial constraints are also consistently rated as important barriers by Filipinos, similar to Chinese Americans [ 53 ]. In the Philippines where mental health services are costly and inaccessible [ 54 ], financial constraints serve as a hindrance to formal help-seeking, as mentioned by a participant in the study of Straiton and his colleagues, “In the Philippines… it takes really long time to decide for us that this condition is serious. We don’t want to use our money right away” [ 14 , p.6]. Local Filipinos are confronted with problems of lack of mental health facilities, services and professionals due to meager government spending on health. Despite the recent ratification of the Philippines’ Mental Health Act of 2018 and the Universal Health Care Act of 2019, the current coverage for mental health services provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation only amounts to US$154 per hospitalization and only for acute episodes of mental disorders [ 55 ]. Specialist services for mental health in the Philippines are restricted in tertiary hospitals located in urban areas, with only one major mental hospital and 84 psychiatric units in general hospitals [ 1 ].

Overseas Filipinos cited the lack of health insurance and immigration status without health care privileges as financial barrier. In countries where people have access to universal health care, being employed is a barrier to psychological help-seeking because individuals prefer to work instead of attending medical check-ups or consultations [ 13 ]. Higher income is also associated with better mental health [ 56 ] and hence, the need for mental health services is low, whereas poor socio-economic status is related to greater risk of developing mental health problems [ 57 , 58 ]. Lack of familiarity with healthcare system in host countries among new Filipino migrants also discourages them from seeking help.

Studies have shown that reliance on, and accessibility of sympathetic, reliable and trusted family and friends are detrimental to formal help-seeking since professional help is sought only in the absence of this social support [ 6 , 8 ]. This is consistent with the predominating cultural values that govern Filipino interpersonal relationships called kapwa (or shared identity) in which trusted family and friends are considered as “hindi-ibang-tao” (one-of-us/insider), while doctors or professionals are seen as “ibang-tao” (outsider) [ 59 ]. Filipinos are apt to disclose and be more open and honest about their mental illness to those whom they considered as “hindi-ibang-tao” (insider) as against those who are “ibang-tao” (outsider), hence their preference for family members and close friends as source of informal help [ 59 ]. For Filipinos, it is difficult to trust a mental health specialist who is not part of the family [ 60 ].

Qualitative studies in this review frequently mentioned resilience and self-reliance among overseas Filipinos as barriers to help-seeking. As an adaptive coping strategy for adversity [ 61 ], overseas Filipinos believe that they were better equipped in overcoming emotional challenges of immigration [ 16 ] without professional assistance [ 14 ]. It supports the findings of studies on overseas Filipino domestic workers who attributed their sense of well-being despite stress to their sense of resilience which prevents them from developing mental health problems [ 62 ] and among Filipino disaster survivors who used their capacity to adapt as protective mechanism from experience of trauma [ 63 ]. However, self-reliant individuals also tend to hold stigmatizing beliefs on mental health and as such resort to handling problems on their own instead of seeking help [ 51 , 64 ].

Prominent facilitator themes in help-seeking In terms of enablers of psychological help-seeking, only a few facilitators were mentioned in the studies, which supported findings in other studies asserting that factors that promote help-seeking are less often emphasized [ 42 , 51 ].

Consistent with other studies [ 44 , 49 ], problem severity is predictive of intention to seek help from mental health providers [ 18 , 30 ] because Filipinos perceive that professional services are only warranted when symptoms have disabling effects [ 5 , 53 ]. As such, those who are experiencing heightened emotional distress were found to be receptive to intervention [ 17 ]. In most cases, symptom severity is determined only when somatic or behavioral symptoms manifest [ 13 ] or occupational dysfunction occurs late in the course of the mental illness [ 65 ]. This is most likely due to the initial denial of the problem [ 66 ] or attempts at maintaining normalcy of the situation as an important coping mechanism [ 67 ]. Furthermore, this poses as a hindrance to any attempts at early intervention because Filipinos are likely to seek professional help only when the problem is severe or has somatic manifestations. It also indicates the lack of preventive measure to avert any deterioration in mental health and well-being.

More positive attitudes towards help-seeking and higher rates of mental health care utilization have been found among later-generation Filipino immigrants or those who have acquired residency status in their host country [ 10 , 15 ]. Immigration status and length of stay in the host country are also associated with language proficiency, higher acculturation and familiarity with the host culture that are more open to discussing mental health issues [ 13 ], which present fewer barriers in help-seeking. This is consistent with facilitators of formal help-seeking among other ethnic minorities, such as acculturation, social integration and positive attitude towards mental health [ 43 ].

Cultural context of Filipinos’ reluctance to seek help Several explanations have been proposed to account for the general reluctance of Filipinos to seek psychological help. In Filipino culture, mental illness is attributed to superstitious or supernatural causes, such as God’s will, witchcraft, and sorcery [ 68 , 69 ], which contradict the biopsychosocial model used by mental health care professionals. Within this cultural context, Filipinos prefer to seek help from traditional folk healers who are using religious rituals in their healing process instead of availing the services of professionals [ 70 , 71 ]. This was reaffirmed by participants in the study of Thompson and her colleagues who said that “psychiatrists are not a way to deal with emotional problems” [ 74 , p.685]. The common misconception on the cause and nature of mental illness, seeing it as temporary due to cold weather [ 14 ] or as a failure in character and as an individual responsibility to overcome [ 16 , 72 ] also discourages Filipinos from seeking help.

Synthesis of the studies included in the review also found conflicting findings on various cultural and psychosocial influences that served both as enablers and deterrents to Filipino help-seeking, namely: (1) level of spirituality; (2) concern on loss of face or sense of shame; and (3) presence of social support.

Level of spirituality Higher spirituality or greater religious beliefs have disparate roles in Filipino psychological help-seeking. Some studies [ 8 , 14 , 16 ] consider it a hindrance to formal help-seeking, whereas others [ 10 , 15 ] asserted that it can facilitate the utilization of mental health services [ 15 , 73 ]. Being predominantly Catholics, Filipinos had drawn strength from their religious faith to endure difficult situations and challenges, accordingly ‘leaving everything to God’ [ 74 ] which explains their preference for clergy as sources of help instead of professional mental health providers. This is connected with the Filipino attribution of mental illness to spiritual or religious causes [ 62 ] mentioned earlier. On the contrary, Hermansdottir and Aegisdottir argued that there is a positive link between spirituality and help-seeking, and cited connectedness with host culture as mediating factor [ 15 ]. Alternately, because higher spirituality and religiosity are predictors of greater sense of well-being [ 75 ], there is, thus, a decreased need for mental health services.

Concern on loss of face or sense of shame The enabler/deterrent role of higher concern on loss of face and sense of shame on psychological help-seeking was also identified. The majority of studies in this review asserted the deterrent role of loss of face and stigma consistent with the findings of other studies [ 51 ], although Clement et al. stated that stigma is the fourth barrier in deterring help-seeking [ 76 ]. Mental illness is highly stigmatized in the Philippines and to avoid the derogatory label of ‘crazy’, Filipinos tend to conceal their mental illness and consequently avoid seeking professional help. This is aligned with the Filipino value of hiya (sense of propriety) which considers any deviation from socially acceptable behavior as a source of shame [ 11 ]. The stigmatized belief is reinforced by the notion that formal help-seeking is not the way to deal with emotional problems, as reflected in the response of a Filipino participant in the study by Straiton et. al., “It has not occurred to me to see a doctor for that kind of feeling” [ 14 , p.6]. However, other studies in this review [ 12 , 13 ] posited contrary views that lower stigma tolerance and higher concern for loss of face could also motivate psychological help-seeking for individuals who want to avoid embarrassing their family. As such, stigma tolerance and loss of face may have a more nuanced influence on help-seeking depending on whether the individual avoids the stigma by not seeking help or prevent the stigma by actively seeking help.

Presence of social support The contradictory role of social networks either as helpful or unhelpful in formal help-seeking was also noted in this review. The presence of friends and family can discourage Filipinos from seeking professional help because their social support serves as protective factor that buffer one’s experience of distress [ 77 , 78 ]. Consequently, individuals are less likely to use professional services [ 42 , 79 ]. On the contrary, other studies have found that the presence of friends and family who have positive attitudes towards formal help-seeking can promote the utilization of mental health services [ 8 , 80 ]. Friends who sought formal help and, thus, serve as role models [ 14 ], and those who take the initiative in seeking help for the distressed individual [ 32 ] also encourage such behavior. Thus, the positive influence of friends and family on mental health and formal help-seeking of Filipinos is not merely to serve only as emotional buffer for stress, but to also favourably influence the decision of the individual to seek formal help.

Research implications of findings

This review highlights particular evidence gaps that need further research: (1) operationalization of help-seeking behavior as a construct separating intention and attitude; (2) studies on actual help-seeking behavior among local and overseas Filipinos with identified mental health problems; (3) longitudinal study on intervention effectiveness and best practices; (4) studies that triangulate findings of qualitative studies with quantitative studies on the role of resilience and self-reliance in help-seeking; and (5) factors that promote help-seeking.

Some studies in this review reported help-seeking intention or attitude as actual behaviors even though they are separate constructs, hence leading to reporting biases and misinterpretations. For instance, the conflicting findings of Tuliao et al. [ 12 ] on the negative association of loss of face with help-seeking attitude and the positive association between loss of face and intention to seek help demonstrate that attitudes and intentions are separate constructs and, thus, need further operationalization. Future research should strive to operationalize concretely these terms through the use of robust measurement tools and systematic reporting of results. There is also a lack of data on the actual help-seeking behaviors among Filipinos with mental illness as most of the reports were from the general population and on their help-seeking attitudes and intentions. Thus, research should focus on those with mental health problems and their actual utilization of healthcare services to gain a better understanding of how specific factors prevent or promote formal help-seeking behaviors.

Moreover, the majority of the studies in this review were descriptive cross-sectional studies, with only one cohort analytic study. Future research should consider a longitudinal study design to ensure a more rigorous and conclusive findings especially on testing the effectiveness of interventions and documenting best practices. Because of the lack of quantitative research that could triangulate the findings of several qualitative studies on the detrimental role of resilience and self-reliance, quantitative studies using pathway analysis may help identify how these barriers affect help-seeking. A preponderance of studies also focused on discussing the roles of barriers in help-seeking, but less is known about the facilitators of help-seeking. For this reason, factors that promote help-seeking should be systematically investigated.

Practice, service delivery and policy implications

Findings of this review also indicate several implications for practice, service delivery, intervention and policy. Cultural nuances that underlie help-seeking behavior of Filipinos, such as the relational orientation of their interactions [ 81 ], should inform the design of culturally appropriate interventions for mental health and well-being and improving access and utilization of health services. Interventions aimed at improving psychological help-seeking should also target friends and family as potential and significant influencers in changing help-seeking attitude and behavior. They may be encouraged to help the individual to seek help from the mental health professional. Other approaches include psychoeducation that promotes mental health literacy and reduces stigma which could be undertaken both as preventive and treatment strategies because of their positive influence on help-seeking. Strategies to reduce self-reliance may also be helpful in encouraging help-seeking.

This review also has implications for structural changes to overcome economic and other practical barriers in Filipino seeking help for mental health problems. Newly enacted laws on mental health and universal healthcare in the Philippines may jumpstart significant policy changes, including increased expenditure for mental health treatment.

Since lack of awareness of available services was also identified as significant barrier, overseas Filipinos could be given competency training in utilizing the health care system of host countries, possibly together with other migrants and ethnic minorities. Philippine consular agencies in foreign countries should not merely only resort to repatriation acts, but could also take an active role in service delivery especially for overseas Filipinos who experience trauma and/or may have immigration-related constraints that hamper their access to specialist care.

Limitations of findings

A crucial limitation of studies in this review is the use of different standardized measures of help-seeking that render incomparable results. These measures were western-based inventories, and only three studies mentioned using cultural validation, such as forward-and-back-translations, to adapt them to cross-cultural research on Filipino participants. This may pose as a limitation on the cultural appropriateness and applicability of foreign-made tests [ 73 ] in capturing the true essence of Filipino experience and perspectives [ 74 ]. Additionally, the majority of the studies used non-probability sampling that limits the generalizability of results. They also failed to measure the type of assistance or actual support sought by Filipinos, such as psychoeducation, referral services, supportive counseling or psychotherapy, and whether or not they are effective in addressing mental health concerns of Filipinos. Another inherent limitation of this review is the lack of access to grey literature, such as thesis and dissertations published in other countries, or those published in the Philippines and are not available online. A number of studies on multi-ethnic studies with Filipino participants do not provide disaggregated data, which limits the scope and inclusion of studies in this review.

This review has confirmed the low utilization of mental health services among Filipinos regardless of their locations, with mental health stigma as a primary barrier resilience and self-reliance as coping strategies were also cited, especially in qualitative studies, but may be important in addressing issues of non-utilization of mental health services. Social support and problem severity were cited as prominent facilitators in help-seeking. However, different structural, cultural and practical barriers and facilitators of psychological help-seeking between overseas and local Filipinos were also found.

WHO (2017) Mental health atlas 2017. World Health Organization

Redaniel MT, Lebanan-Dalida MA, Gunnell D (2011) Suicide in the Philippines: time trend analysis (1974–2005) and literature review. BMC Public Health 11(1):536

Article   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

WHO (2011) Mental health atlas 2011. World Health Organization

Nguyen D, Bornheimer LA (2014) Mental health service use types among Asian Americans with a psychiatric disorder: Considerations of culture and need. J Behav Health Serv Res 41(4):520–528

Article   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Nicdao EG, Duldulao AA, Takeuchi DT (2015) Psychological distress, nativity, and help-seeking among Filipino Americans. In: Education, social factors, and health beliefs in health and health care services. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp 107–120

Green O, Ayalon L (2016) Whom do migrant home care workers contact in the case of work-related abuse? An exploratory study of help-seeking behaviors. J Interpers Violence 31(19):3236–3256

Ho GW, Bressington D, Leung SF, Lam K, Leung A, Molassiotis A et al (2018) Depression literacy and health-seeking attitudes in the Western Pacific region: a mixed-methods study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 53(10):1039–1049

Bernardo AB, Estrellado AF (2017) Locus-of-hope and help-seeking intentions of Filipino women victims of intimate partner violence. Curr Psychol 36(1):66–75

Article   Google Scholar  

Kessler RC, Frank RG, Edlund M, Katz SJ, Lin E, Leaf P (1997) Differences in the use of psychiatric outpatient services between the United States and Ontario. N Engl J Med 336(8):551–557

Article   CAS   PubMed   Google Scholar  

Abe-Kim J, Takeuchi DT, Hong S, Zane N, Sue S, Spencer MS et al (2007) Use of mental health–related services among immigrant and US-born Asian Americans: results from the National Latino and Asian American study. Am J Public Health 97(1):91–98

Tuliao AP (2014) Mental health help seeking among Filipinos: a review of the literature. Asia Pac J Couns Psychother 5(2):124–136

Google Scholar  

Tuliao AP, Velasquez PAE, Bello AM, Pinson MJT (2016) Intent to seek counseling among Filipinos: examining loss of face and gender. Couns Psychol 44(3):353–382

Gong F, Gage SL, Tacata LA Jr (2003) Helpseeking behavior among Filipino Americans: a cultural analysis of face and language. J Community Psychol 31(5):469–488

Straiton ML, Ledesma HML, Donnelly TT (2018) “It has not occurred to me to see a doctor for that kind of feeling”: a qualitative study of Filipina immigrants’ perceptions of help seeking for mental health problems. BMC Women’s Health 18(1):73

Hermannsdóttir BS, Aegisdottir S (2016) Spirituality, connectedness, and beliefs about psychological services among filipino immigrants in Iceland. Counsel Psychol 44(4):546–572

Vahabi M, Wong JP (2017) Caught between a rock and a hard place: mental health of migrant live-in caregivers in Canada. BMC Public Health 17(1):498

Cabbigat FK, Kangas M (2018) Help-seeking behaviors in non-offending caregivers of abused children in the Philippines. J Aggress Maltreat Trauma 27(5):555–573

Nguyen D, Lee R (2012) Asian immigrants' mental health service use: an application of the life course perspective. Asian Am J Psychol 3(1):53

Rickwood D, Thomas K (2012) Conceptual measurement framework for help-seeking for mental health problems. Psychol Res Behav Manag 5:173

Divin N, Harper P, Curran E, Corry D, Leavey G (2018) Help-seeking measures and their use in adolescents: a systematic review. Adolesc Res Rev 3:113–122

Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, Prisma Group (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med 6(7):e1000097

Singh J (2013) Critical appraisal skills programme. J Pharmacol Pharmacotherapeutics 4(1):76

E Effective Public Health Practice Project (1998) Quality assessment tool for quantitative studies

Hong QN, Fàbregues S, Bartlett G, Boardman F, Cargo M, Dagenais P et al (2018) The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Educ Inf 34(4):285–291

Boland A, Cherry G, Dickson R (2017) Doing a systematic review: a student's guide. Sage, Thousand Oaks

Charrois TL (2015) Systematic reviews: what do you need to know to get started? Can J Hosp Pharm 68(2):144

PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Sandelowski M, Barroso J, Voils CI (2007) Using qualitative metasummary to synthesize qualitative and quantitative descriptive findings. Res Nurs Health 30(1):99–111

Cresswell J, Cresswell D (2018) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. SAGE, London

Popay J, Roberts H, Sowden A, Petticrew M, Arai L, Rodgers M, Britten N, Roen K, Duffy S (2006) Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews. A product from the ESRC methods programme Version 1:b92

Nguyen D (2011) Acculturation and perceived mental health need among older Asian immigrants. J Behav Health Serv Res 38(4):526–533

Hechanova MRM, Tuliao AP, Teh LA, Alianan AS, Acosta A (2013) Problem severity, technology adoption, and intent to seek online counseling among overseas Filipino workers. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw 16(8):613–617

Shoultz J, Magnussen L, Manzano H, Arias C, Spencer C (2010) Listening to Filipina women: perceptions, responses and needs regarding intimate partner violence. Issues Ment Health Nurs 31(1):54–61

Thompson S, Manderson L, Woelz-Stirling N, Cahill A, Kelaher M (2002) The social and cultural context of the mental health of Filipinas in Queensland. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 36(5):681–687

David E (2010) Cultural mistrust and mental health help-seeking attitudes among Filipino Americans. Asian Am J Psychol 1(1):57

Lu SH, Dear BF, Johnston L, Wootton BM, Titov N (2014) An internet survey of emotional health, treatment seeking and barriers to accessing mental health treatment among Chinese-speaking international students in Australia. Couns Psychol Q 27(1):96–108

Mojtabai R, Olfson M, Mechanic D (2002) Perceived need and help-seeking in adults with mood, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Arch Gen Psychiatry 59(1):77–84

Oliver MI, Pearson N, Coe N, Gunnell D (2005) Help-seeking behaviour in men and women with common mental health problems: cross-sectional study. Br J Psychiatry 186(4):297–301

Henderson C, Evans-Lacko S, Thornicroft G (2013) Mental illness stigma, help seeking, and public health programs. Am J Public Health 103(5):777–780

Mo PK, Mak WW (2009) Help-seeking for mental health problems among Chinese. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 44(8):675–684

Kirmayer LJ, Weinfeld M, Burgos G, Du Fort GG, Lasry J, Young A (2007) Use of health care services for psychological distress by immigrants in an urban multicultural milieu. Can J Psychiatry 52(5):295–304

Na S, Ryder AG, Kirmayer LJ (2016) Toward a culturally responsive model of mental health literacy: facilitating help-seeking among East Asian immigrants to North America. Am J Community Psychol 58(1–2):211–225

Li W, Dorstyn DS, Denson LA (2016) Predictors of mental health service use by young adults: a systematic review. Psychiatric Serv 67(9):946–956

Knipscheer JW, Kleber RJ (2008) Help-seeking behavior of west African Migrants. J Community Psychol 36(7):915–928

Brown JS, Evans-Lacko S, Aschan L, Henderson MJ, Hatch SL, Hotopf M (2014) Seeking informal and formal help for mental health problems in the community: a secondary analysis from a psychiatric morbidity survey in South London. BMC Psychiatry 14(1):275

Snowden LR (1998) Racial differences in informal help seeking for mental health problems. J Community Psychol 26(5):429–438

Pasco ACY, Morse JM, Olson JK (2004) Cross-cultural relationships between nurses and Filipino Canadian patients. J Nurs Scholarsh 36(3):239–246

Clough J, Lee S, Chae DH (2013) Barriers to health care among Asian immigrants in the United States: a traditional review. J Health Care Poor Underserved 24(1):384–403

Ihara ES, Chae DH, Cummings JR, Lee S (2014) Correlates of mental health service use and type among Asian Americans. Adm Policy Mental Health Mental Health Serv Res 41(4):543–551

Maneze D, DiGiacomo M, Salamonson Y, Descallar J, Davidson PM (2015) Facilitators and barriers to health-seeking behaviours among Filipino migrants: inductive analysis to inform health promotion. BioMed Res Int 2015:506269

Article   CAS   PubMed   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

Choi JY (2009) Contextual effects on health care access among immigrants: Lessons from three ethnic communities in Hawaii. Soc Sci Med 69(8):1261–1271

Gulliver A, Griffiths KM, Christensen H (2010) Perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking in young people: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry 10(1):113

Doblyte S, Jiménez-Mejías E (2017) Understanding help-seeking behavior in depression: a qualitative synthesis of patients’ experiences. Qual Health Res 27(1):100–113

Kung WW (2004) Cultural and practical barriers to seeking mental health treatment for Chinese Americans. J Community Psychol 32(1):27–43

Saxena S, Thornicroft G, Knapp M, Whiteford H (2007) Resources for mental health: scarcity, inequity, and inefficiency. Lancet 370(9590):878–889

Tomacruz S (2018) PhilHealth should cover psychiatric consultation fees—Angara. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/nation/204570-senator-sonny-angara-philhealth-consultation-fees-mental-illnesses . Accessed 22 Oct 2019

Cuesta MB, Budría S (2015) Income deprivation and mental well-being: the role of non-cognitive skills. Econ Human Biol 17:16–28

Reiss F (2013) Socioeconomic inequalities and mental health problems in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Soc Sci Med 90:24–31

Pereira B, Andrew G, Pednekar S, Pai R, Pelto P, Patel V (2007) The explanatory models of depression in low income countries: listening to women in India. J Affect Disord 102(1–3):209–218

Pe‐Pua R, Protacio‐Marcelino EA (2000) Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino psychology): a legacy of Virgilio G. Enriquez. Asian J Soc Psychol 3(1):49–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-839X.00054

Schumacher HE, Guthrie GM (1984) Culture and counseling in the Philippines. Int J Intercult Relat 8(3):241–253

Luthar S, Cicchetti D (2000) The construct of resilience: implications for interventions and social policies. Dev Psychopathol 12:857–885

Article   PubMed Central   Google Scholar  

van der Ham AJ, Ujano-Batangan MT, Ignacio R, Wolffers I (2014) Toward healthy migration: an exploratory study on the resilience of migrant domestic workers from the Philippines. Transcult Psychiatry 51(4):545–568

Hechanova MRM, Waelde LC, Docena PS, Alampay LP, Alianan AS, Flores MJB et al (2015) The development and initial evaluation of Katatagan: a resilience intervention for Filipino disaster survivors. Philipp J Psychol 48(2):105–131

Jennings KS, Cheung JH, Britt TW, Goguen KN, Jeffirs SM, Peasley AL et al (2015) How are perceived stigma, self-stigma, and self-reliance related to treatment-seeking? A three-path model. Psychiatr Rehabil J 38(2):109

Huang ZJ, Wong FY, Ronzio CR, Yu SM (2007) Depressive symptomatology and mental health help-seeking patterns of U.S.- and foreign-born mothers. Matern Child Health J 11(3):257–267

Ali K, Farrer L, Fassnacht DB, Gulliver A, Bauer S, Griffiths KM (2017) Perceived barriers and facilitators towards help-seeking for eating disorders: a systematic review. Int J Eat Disord 50(1):9–21

Straiton ML, Ledesma HML, Donnelly TT (2017) A qualitative study of Filipina immigrants’ stress, distress and coping: the impact of their multiple, transnational roles as women. BMC Womens Health 17(1):72

Tan ML, Tan MT (2008) Revisiting usog, pasma, kulam. UP Press, Quezon City

Edman JL, Kameoka VA (1997) Cultural differences in illness schemas: an analysis of Filipino and American illness attributions. J Cross Cult Psychol 28(3):252–265

Hwang W, Miranda J, Chung C (2007) Psychosis and shamanism in a Filipino–American immigrant. Cult Med Psychiatry 31(2):251–269

Lovering S (2006) Cultural attitudes and beliefs about pain. J Transcult Nurs 17(4):389–395

Thompson S, Hartel G, Manderson L, Stirling N, Kelaher M (2002) The mental health status of Filipinas in Queensland. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 36(5):674–680

Abe-Kim J, Gong F, Takeuchi D (2004) Religiosity, spirituality, and help-seeking among Filipino Americans: religious clergy or mental health professionals? J Community Psychol 32(6):675–689

Lagman RA, Yoo GJ, Levine EG, Donnell KA, Lim HR (2014) “Leaving it to God” religion and spirituality among Filipina immigrant breast cancer survivors. J Relig Health 53(2):449–460

Cohen AB (2002) The importance of spirituality in well-being for Jews and Christians. J Happiness Stud 3(3):287–310

Clement S, Schauman O, Graham T, Maggioni F, Evans-Lacko S, Bezborodovs N et al (2015) What is the impact of mental health-related stigma on help-seeking? A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Psychol Med 45(1):11–27

Gee GC, Chen J, Spencer MS, See S, Kuester OA, Tran D et al (2006) Social support as a buffer for perceived unfair treatment among Filipino Americans: differences between San Francisco and Honolulu. Am J Public Health 96(4):677–684

Coker AL, Smith PH, Thompson MP, McKeown RE, Bethea L, Davis KE (2002) Social support protects against the negative effects of partner violence on mental health. J Womens Health Gend Based 11(5):465–476

Miville ML, Constantine MG (2006) Sociocultural predictors of psychological help-seeking attitudes and behavior among Mexican American college students. Cult Divers Ethnic Minority Psychol 12(3):420

Tuliao AP, Velasquez PAE (2017) Online counselling among Filipinos: do Internet-related variables matter? Asia Pac J Couns Psychother 8(1):53–65

Mujtaba BG, Balboa A (2009) Comparing Filipino and American task and relationship orientations. J Appl Manag Entrepreneurship 14(2):82

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines

Andrea B. Martinez

Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, England

Andrea B. Martinez, Jennifer Lau & June S. L. Brown

Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, England

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea B. Martinez .

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest.

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests in this work.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ .

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Martinez, A.B., Co, M., Lau, J. et al. Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: a systematic review. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 55 , 1397–1413 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01937-2

Download citation

Received : 03 January 2020

Accepted : 07 August 2020

Published : 20 August 2020

Issue Date : November 2020

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01937-2

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Help-seeking
• Mental health service use
• Barriers and facilitators
• Mental health
• Philippines
• Find a journal
• Publish with us
• Track your research

Soviet Band of ‘Vigilantes’ Is a Youth Gang Known for Beating Nonconformists

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

A gang of thugs was suddenly thrust into the spotlight this week when Soviet officials said gang members, who they called “vigilantes,” broke up demonstrations by dissidents.

The gang, named “Lyubers” after the Moscow suburb Lyubertsy where most of them live, roams the streets of the capital at night, beating punk rockers and other nonconformist teen-agers and robbing black marketeers.

According to press accounts, Lyubers mix Russian nationalism with right-wing philosophy, body-building and martial arts. The gang “uniform” consists of voluminous checked pants, tight white shirts and narrow black ties.

‘Vigilantes’ Blamed

On Thursday, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, Gennady I. Gerasimov, said “home-grown vigilantes,” apparently from the Lyubers gang, not plainclothes security agents, were responsible for roughing up demonstrators seeking emigration rights and the release of a Jewish activist from prison.

It was clear at the scene that the burly men who beat the demonstrators and some Western reporters were not teen-age thugs, but agents backed by police and the KGB secret police.

However, it was very unusual for a Soviet official to acknowledge the existence of such a gang, especially in a news briefing for Western reporters. Teen-age gangs are nothing new to Moscow, but they have rarely been given any attention in the official press.

Opposed to Hippies

The magazine Ogonyok said in a recent article that Lyubers are opposed to nonconformist youths, including hippies, punk rockers, heavy metal fans known as metallists and break dancers.

“Hippies, punks and metallists shame the Soviet way of life,” gang member Boris Taranov, 17, told Ogonyok. “We want to clean them out of the capital.”

The magazine said police know about the activities of the Lyubers but have not been able to take action “for the simple reason that hippies, punks and metallists who have suffered from the Lyubers don’t go to the police.”

The magazine said many Lyubers seem to believe in this “philosophy” but others simply use it as an excuse to beat and rob fellow Muscovites, especially black marketeers who usually carry large sums of money.

No Estimates of Size

There are no estimates on the size of the gang. A gang leader, asked by an Ogonyok reporter how many people he could assemble in a few hours, said a conservative estimate was 200.

The gang members practice boxing, wrestling, judo, karate and weightlifting in basement gymnasiums built from the proceeds of selling stolen goods, Ogonyok said.

“Lyubers practically don’t drink, they don’t smoke and as far as we know, they don’t take drugs,” reporter Vladimir Yakovlev wrote in an article for the magazine.

More to Read

The latest threat to China? The rise of the DINKs

May 8, 2024

Here is what Stormy Daniels testified happened between her and Donald Trump

May 7, 2024

Testimony details alleged motives in Mexico surfer slayings: ‘Money, devices and the pickup’

May 9, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Granderson: Biden is right to nudge Israel toward protecting civilians in Rafah

World & Nation

U.N. assembly approves resolution granting Palestinians new rights and reviving U.N. membership bid

Facing a ‘national emergency,’ South Korea president urges citizens to have more babies

Third week of testimony in Trump’s trial draws to a close, with Michael Cohen yet to come