Mental health is steadily emerging as a public health challenge in a country that is still desperate for better conditions. An estimated 12.5 million Filipinos live with mental health conditions—mostly depression and anxiety—but access to help remains scarce. The Department of Health allocates a meager 0.02% of its total budget to mental health, while fewer than 1,000 psychiatrists and 1,400 psychologists serve over 110 million people, most of them based in Metro Manila.
A sobering statistic highlights the depth of the crisis. In 2020, deaths from self-harm rose by 57%, reaching 4,420 cases. DOH-supported mental health access sites—just over 360 nationwide—serve only around 124,000 patients a year, leaving most without a clear path to care.
This predicament extends to the workforce, where mental stress quietly erodes the well-being of employees. A 2024 study by AXA found that 87% of Filipino workers report symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, or burnout. In the BPO sector alone, extreme exhaustion and sleep problems are widespread—yet only 22% seek professional help.
Similar pressures weigh heavily on those in healthcare and education, where emotional labor meets minimal support.
For millions of Overseas Filipino Workers, including seafarers, mental health struggles often go unspoken. Long months away from home, isolation, and job uncertainty take a toll. A recent study by the National Maritime Polytechnic showed a rise in mental disorders among seafarers, from 23 cases in 2018 to 64 in 2022, while reported suicide rose from one to nine in the same period.
Older Filipinos, senior citizens, are just as vulnerable. Around one in three senior citizens live with mental health conditions, often driven by loneliness, declining health, and financial stress. Yet, geriatric mental health remains largely absent in public programs.
Even young children are affected, with reports of depression and anxiety rising from among those as young as six years old. School pressure, unstable home environments, and lack of support, especially in rural areas, fuel these negative conditions.
The LGBTQ+ community faces unique and severe mental health challenges, often stemming from societal stigma and discrimination. According to The Trevor Project 2024, 3 in 4 (75%) LGBTQ+ young people have seriously considered suicide, and nearly half (46%) have attempted suicide, with 34% attempting within the past year. The majority also report symptoms of depression (62%) and anxiety (62%), along with self-harm (59%) in the past year. Alarmingly, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) have been threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy, which correlates with higher rates of mental health struggles. Many (63%) see their LGBTQ+ identity as a burden, and more than half (58%) do not feel comfortable interacting as their true selves, further contributing to poor mental health outcomes. However, feeling affirmed, living in an accepting community, and receiving proper therapy have been linked to lower rates of mental health issues among LGBTQ+ individuals.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the mental health crisis, revealing just how fragile the system was. Isolation, financial hardships, and prolonged uncertainty intensified mental health struggles across all demographics. Suicide attempts among students more than doubled. A 2024 report revealed that 17% of youths had considered suicide, but fewer than 1% reached out for help (UNICEF Philippines, 2024).
“The statistics are alarming,” President Marcos Jr. said. But action remains slow, and support remains thin. Without stronger systems in place, millions will continue to carry this quietly and alone.
