Christy Balita
Research expert covering the Philippines
Mental health in the Philippines - statistics & facts
Mental health has long been considered a sensitive topic in the Philippines. As a country with a substantial Catholic population, depression, and anxiety can sometimes be associated with a lack of faith. However, this perception has continuously been challenged recently, especially as the younger Filipino generation has become more open to discussing their frustrations, feelings of burnout, and hopelessness. Interventions have been implemented to support Filipinos experiencing difficulties, which became helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical facilities and services still have room for improvement when responding to the growing number of people requiring treatment.
Impact of COVID-19 on mental health cases in the Philippines
The onset of the coronavirus pandemic caused uncertainties that resulted in anxiety and depression among many people. As lockdown restrictions were implemented, several Filipinos lost their livelihoods, especially farmers and fishermen, along with those in the informal sector. Others lost their jobs as companies tried to cut costs to prepare for a possible recession. Several overseas workers also had to be repatriated, especially in countries with severe COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, hospitals were cramped, and most healthcare workers were forced to take double shifts to accommodate the growing number of patients. Misinformation, especially during the first year of the pandemic, also drove many people to experience psychological stress or triggered some form of mental illness. However, cases could be underreported due to the stigma. Meanwhile, the number of deaths caused by suicide in the Philippines grew by about 60 percent in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Suicide cases among the younger population were also increasing at an alarming rate. During the 2021–2022 academic year, the Department of Education reported around 400 students in public schools having committed suicide, with over 2,000 students attempting to take their lives.Interventions on mental health in the Philippines
Although the stigma of mental illness persists in the Philippines, patients have access to essential health services thanks to the Mental Health Act of 2018. Through this law, the government aims to develop and establish policies to support Filipinos suffering from mental health issues and to create a national mental health care system. Several institutions provide services for mental health patients, including the National Center for Mental Health, a psychiatric hospital located in Mandaluyong with a bed capacity of about 4,200. Most hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR) also have a psychiatric department catering to people with mental illnesses. Numerous non-profit organizations also provide mental health services, such as online therapy and consultations. However, access to counseling and related services remains challenging, especially among patients outside of Metro Manila, where mental health professionals are scarce, and therapy sessions continue to become a financial burden.
