Read time: 5 minutes
Silent struggles near and far
It is late at night in a small apartment abroad. A Filipino worker scrolls through family photos, the silence broken only by the hum of the refrigerator. They had smiled on video call earlier, assuring loved ones that everything was fine. But now, when no one is watching, worries resurface, bills, homesickness, the weight of being the “strong one.”
Back home, a university student sits in a crowded dormitory. Surrounded by noise, they feel isolated as deadlines pile up. Their phone lights up with messages from family who proudly expect medals and achievements, but inside they wonder: Am I enough?
These scenes, whether abroad or at home, remind us that mental health is not something distant or abstract. It lives in the quiet nights, the busy mornings, and the silent battles we carry every day.
What mental health really means
Mental health is often misunderstood as simply the absence of mental illness. But according to the World Health Organization (2022), it is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” This broader view highlights resilience, functioning, and meaning.
For Filipinos abroad, mental health may look like finding the strength to get through double shifts while staying connected to family. For Filipinos at home, it may mean navigating academic pressure, workplace stress, or family expectations with balance and perspective. In both contexts, mental health is about how we live our daily lives, not just in moments of crisis, but in ordinary struggles and small victories.
The Filipino context of well-being
In Filipino culture, family is both a strong source of support and a source of pressure. Parents often express love through reminders like “Pangtarong og skwela” (study well), but these can also become heavy expectations. Recognition days bring joy, yet they also reinforce the idea that worth is tied to achievement.
For overseas workers, the pressure takes a different shape. Many OFWs carry the unspoken rule that they must not show weakness. They smile on calls, send remittances faithfully, and rarely admit to loneliness or exhaustion because they do not want to worry their families. This silence can deepen isolation.
Faith and humor are cultural strengths that sustain many Filipinos. Prayer provides comfort, and laughter, even in hardship, lightens the load. Yet cultural attitudes also create barriers. Studies show stigma, fear of being judged, and lack of mental health literacy prevent many Filipinos from seeking help, both locally and abroad (Martinez et al., 2020).
Why this matters: what the data reveals
Numbers give weight to these observations. In the 2015 Global School-based Student Health Survey (Philippines), 16.2% of adolescents reported attempting suicide in the past year (Redaniel et al., 2021). In Manila universities, more than 26% of young adults reported engaging in non-suicidal self-injury, often starting in early adolescence (Redaniel et al., 2021). These are not distant statistics, they reflect young Filipinos in classrooms, barangays, and homes today.
On a broader scale, the World Health Organization estimates that in low- and middle-income countries like the Philippines, 76-85% of people with mental disorders receive no treatment (World Health Organization, 2022). Barriers include limited services, stigma, and the belief that mental health is not a “real” health priority.
For OFWs, studies echo similar patterns. Research among Filipino migrant workers points to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, compounded by homesickness and limited access to culturally appropriate care (Gingrich & Apolinario, 2020). Whether at home or abroad, the story repeats: Filipinos often endure in silence.
Modern pressures in a changing world
Beyond culture and distance, modern life adds another layer. Social media creates constant comparison, seeing friends achieve promotions, awards, or new experiences can magnify feelings of inadequacy. For those already struggling, every scroll becomes a reminder of what they lack.
At the same time, the flood of information online about “self-care” or “mental health hacks” can overwhelm. Knowing what to do is different from practicing it daily. Without safe spaces to process emotions, knowledge remains unused. Both OFWs and local Filipinos face this paradox: surrounded by advice, but still feeling unequipped to manage emotions when the pressure becomes too much.
Small acts that make a difference
World Mental Health Day (October 10) is not only about global campaigns, it is about everyday choices that nurture well-being. For the Filipino abroad, it can mean making time to call home not just to send updates but to share honestly about struggles. For families at home, it can mean listening without judgment when a child says, “Pagod na ako.”
Workplaces that respect break times, schools that encourage students to rest, and communities that normalize conversations about feelings all contribute to healthier lives. On an individual level, practices like journaling, breathing exercises, prayer, or seeking therapy can transform how we carry stress. These acts may seem small, but they can mean the difference between silence and healing.
A shared reflection
World Mental Health Day reminds us that well-being is not reserved for clinics or hospitals. It lives in the boarding houses of Manila, the dormitories of Cebu, the apartments of Dubai, and the kitchens of Davao. It is carried in the hearts of parents who sacrifice, children who strive, and workers who persist despite isolation.
Your mental health matters not because you are unwell, but because you are human. This month, may we learn to see mental health as part of our daily bread, something woven into meals shared, conversations held, and quiet moments of self-care. And may we remember that whether abroad or at home, Filipinos deserve not only to survive, but to live well in mind, heart, and spirit.
References
Gingrich, A., & Apolinario, E. (2020). Mental health and well-being of overseas Filipino workers: A review of literature. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 53(2), 145–163.
Martinez, A., Co, A., Lau, J., & Brown, J. (2020). Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: A systematic review. Transcultural Psychiatry, 57(3), 356–377. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461519892419
Redaniel, M. T., Lebanan-Dalida, M. A., & Gunnell, D. (2021). Suicide in the Philippines: Time trend analysis (1974–2005) and literature review. BMC Public Health, 11, 536. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-536 World Health Organization. (2022). Mental health: Strengthening our response. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
About the Author
Marianne Taladua is a Filipino psychologist with over 13 years of experience supporting individuals through depression, anxiety, burnout, trauma, and life transitions. Speaking Bisaya, Tagalog, and English, she offers a gentle, non-judging space where clients can unpack what’s weighing them down and find clarity, relief, and self-trust. For Marianne, therapy isn’t about quick fixes – it’s about truly listening so you can hear yourself again.
