Broader discussions on mental health continue to face challenges in the Philippines, despite progress in awareness and legislation, such as the Mental Health Law of 2018.
Filipino youth, in particular, still struggle to find understanding and openness around mental health, contributing to increasing mental health issues.
With National Mental Health Month underway, it’s time to slow down, listen, and support our youth.
A real issue
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies depression, anxiety, and suicide as major health concerns for adolescents, with suicide being one of the leading causes of death for those aged 15 to 19.
During the 2021-2022 school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported 404 student suicides and over 2,100 attempts, underscoring the urgent need for mental health support.
A 2021 study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute found that 62 percent of Filipino youth who contemplated suicide did not seek help, and only 2 percent of those who attempted suicide sought professional support.
Lack of professionals
The shortage of mental health professionals adds to the problem, with only 5,085 registered guidance counselors, 2,417 psychologists, and 651 psychiatrists nationwide—figures that fall short for the country’s needs.
"In the Philippine public school system, just one guidance counselor serves 25,000 students," says Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson, a resource person for Unilab Foundation’s Heads Up PH program.
Access to private mental health services remains limited and costly, which further complicates the mental health landscape in the country.
Key factors contributing to youth mental health concerns include COVID-19’s lingering effects, poverty, bullying, family issues, and limited mental health literacy.
Heads Up PH
To address these growing concerns, Unilab Foundation launched Heads Up PH, a mental health and well-being initiative focused on Filipino youth.
In partnership with organizations like the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Heads Up PH fosters a supportive environment where youth can seek mental health help without fear or stigma.
The program trains teachers and school staff to recognize and support students’ mental health needs.
The program also developed the Race Against Suicide Toolkit, designed to equip school stakeholders to prevent suicide.
Piloted in schools nationwide, it includes assessment tools, interventions, and a referral system to connect students with necessary support.
Universal mental health screening, also being rolled out with DepEd, aims to improve data collection on youth mental health, informing future evidence-based policies.
Mentally healthy communities
Unilab Foundation’s Heads Up PH says the program represents a culture of bayanihan, or communal unity, aiming to build resilient, mentally healthy communities.
“Heads Up PH is Unilab Foundation’s bayanihan in action. By working together, we build a healthy, resilient youth citizenry and a stronger nation,” says Marie Joan Urieta, Program and Strategic Support Director at Unilab Foundation.
Heads Up PH collaborates with partners like the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association and DepEd’s National Educators Academy of the Philippines.
It recently signed an MOU with CHED to train higher education personnel in suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
Together with its partners, Heads Up PH envisions a future where mental health is widely accepted, understood, and prioritized—not just for Filipino youth, but for all.
Through community efforts and open discussions, the program is paving the way for a healthier, more inclusive society.
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