#FEATURE | Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health
by Victoria Albitos and Kaira Balcos
Warning: This article may contain sensitive content, including mentions of depression and suicide.
Due to the sensitive nature of this topic, the names of those who have been interviewed for the article were changed in order to protect their privacy. Any similarity is merely a coincidence.
With the rise of social media also comes the rise of mental health issues. We have become more and more open about our lives, exposing ourselves to more pressure than ever before. Most vulnerable are the youth, and because the youth are the future of society, this becomes an issue we really need to tackle.
Nowadays with technology and the internet, society has never been so well-connected yet at the same time, we have never been more divided. We currently live in a world where the press of a button, one like or share of a post, bears so much meaning… when it actually shouldn’t. The use of social media has become so widespread and has already started to get out of control.
Society (especially the youth) has become so involved with their social media accounts that most start living their lives based on the posts they see, which can be very dangerous. Throughout the past couple of years, suicide rates worldwide and in the Philippines have been rising at an alarming rate, which is why movements such as the World Suicide Prevention Month were founded.
Awareness events such as this are vital since these are huge issues in our society that need to be talked about, yet they don’t get plenty of coverage or publicity. Issues with mental health, especially suicide, are still considered taboo in Philippine society and remain hard to talk about: to parents, teachers, even friends. Once the word “depression” is mentioned, people start to veer away from the topic, or worse, kid about it. Saying the word “suicide” during a discussion can sometimes lead to a collective gasp. And yet, more and more Filipinos, old and young, are affected by mental health issues and disorders every day.
Pisay is no exception, especially with the students’ demanding workload and the immense amount of pressure placed on them to maintain a certain academic image, being placed on a pedestal as the “cream of the cream of the crop.” Yet, their perspective changes once they hear the magnitude of our school’s depression rate.
“Of course [mental health stigma] is negative. If the society we live in isn’t open to having conversations regarding mental illnesses, people who are dealing with [it] will think that they’re alone” said Grace, a student.
We Filipinos usually pride ourselves on our resilience, the smile-through-the-pain culture we’ve had to develop to get through our struggles. But when is this harmful? When it prevents us from speaking out about our pain. When it means the stigma surrounding mental health issues only grows stronger. Our collective shame about our problems only adds to it.
“Mental health stigma is something that I don’t understand…why would people discriminate against others who feel different?”
“Even if they believe that mental health isn’t a real illness, that doesn’t authorize them to hate on these people. At the end of the day, people shouldn’t make it a basis for discrimination, since it only serves to worsen the situation and aggravate further our current society,” said Cyril.
Even with so many cries for help, the majority of the general public still does not understand the importance of mental health and how serious this topic is. Most still don’t know how much strength is needed for those who have been diagnosed just to be able to get out of their beds and live their everyday lives. Many people, especially those of older generations, dismiss mental illness or treat it as a joke, or as a way for people to call attention to themselves. In other words, “KSP” or Kulang Sa Pansin, which is in no way helpful or healthy for those who have been seriously affected by these illnesses to hear.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. People have a hard time believing that mental health is a real issue because it isn’t visible, which makes it hard for those affected to seek professional help.
This is the reason that awareness events such as Suicide Prevention Month are so important. We need everyone in our community to be informed. Suicide and mental illness rates are already at an all-time high, and we don’t need to it rise any further. As of 2019, the total suicide rate in the Philippines reached 3.2 (per 100,000 people). With the population working in tandem to educate one another, those diagnosed with mental disorders may soon be able to receive actual help, not only from professionals, but from their peers as well.
When asked for her opinion on Suicide Prevention Month, Grace said, “I think it does help raise awareness, because the resources and lectures are able to impart the information that they intend to, but awareness alone does nothing. It takes effort from the students to actually apply what they learned for real change to occur.”
There are many ways to spread awareness, especially now, with most of the population online. But is a simple “like” and “share” really enough? How can you actually tell if the people sharing these posts have actually read and understood them? How do you ensure that the information you’re sharing is actually being used?
“Sharing information on mental health is easy, but I know that organizations I’m part of can do more than that; we can use our influence to raise awareness. I know that there’s a lot I can learn about mental health, so my priority is educating myself, then educating others. If people need my help but I know there’s not much I can do, a professional’s guidance would be much more helpful than mine,” said Woods.
Sharing things online is a good start to spreading awareness, but it doesn’t have to end there. Be active, not passive. Reach out to people who may be having a hard time. Please take the time to remind someone that they’re not alone.
“How each individual acts regarding this issue is important because the little things we say might actually contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Very few people are properly equipped with knowledge regarding suicide prevention, which needs to be addressed.”
For those who may be suffering due to mental health reasons, please know that you are not alone. There are many people out there willing to listen, help and support you. Things may not be so good at the moment, but please know that things will get better for you. Always hold on to the light that keeps you going, whether it be your family, friends or your passions. There is always a reason to keep going. Giving up is not the answer. You can do this, we believe in you.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you may call any of the following crisis hotlines:
New National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotlines
0917 899 8727 (USAP) and 989 8727 (USAP)
Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF)
(02) 804-HOPE (4673), 0917 558 HOPE (4673) or 2919 (toll-free for GLOBE and TM subscribers)
Manila Lifeline Centre (MLC)
(02) 8969191 or 0917 854 9191
Dial-a-Friend
(02) 5251743 or (02) 5251881
