About Mental Health

Mental health is a key component to overall health and is closely linked to physical health.
Factors at the individual, family, community, and society levels can influence mental health.

Mental health is the component of behavioral health that includes our emotional, psychological, and
social well-being.

Mental health is a state of well-being that enables us to cope with the stresses of life, realize our abilities,
learn well and work well, and contribute to our community.

Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. Mental health is closely
linked to physical health. For example, depression increases the risk for many types of physical, long-
lasting (chronic) conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Similarly, the presence of chronic
conditions can increase the risk of developing a mental health condition. Addressing mental health and
physical health needs can improve overall health. Mental health is not simply the absence of a mental
health condition—it is also about the presence of well-being and the ability to thrive.

Many factors influence our ability to thrive and experience optimal well-being, such as family and
community relationships, access to opportunities, and environmental circumstances.

You can experience positive well-being even if you are living with a mental health condition. Having
access to effective treatment that helps to manage symptoms along with presence of safe, stable, and
nurturing relationships and environments can help.

People who don't have a mental health condition may still face challenges to their mental health.
Taking care of our mental health is important at every stage of life.

Early and middle childhood (birth-11 years old): Mental health in childhood includes reaching
developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there
are problems. Children who experience good mental health have a positive quality of life and can function
well at home, in school, socially, and in their communities.

Adolescence (12-17 years old): Adolescence is a unique and formative time when many health behaviors
and habits are established and carry over into adult years. Adolescence is also a time of important
developmental changes. Physical, emotional, and social challenges, including exposure to poverty or
violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.

Young adulthood (18-26 years old): Early adulthood can come with major transitions such as entering
college and the workforce, securing housing, or starting a family. Positive mental health and well-being in
young adulthood can help young people meet these transitional changes successfully.

Middle adulthood (27-64 years old): In middle adulthood, adults may face life stressors related to jobs,
parenting, caregiving, and relationships.
Older adulthood (65+ years old): As people age, they may experience life changes that impact their
mental health, such as retirement, coping with a serious illness, or losing a loved one. Some may
experience feelings of grief, social isolation, or loneliness.

Mental health has been given very little attention by the Philippine government and public sectors. Even
after the country has recently passed its first Mental Health Act and Universal Health Care Law, only 5%
of the healthcare expenditure is directed toward mental health. Also, there are only 7.76 hospital beds and
0.41 psychiatrists per 100,000 people (World Health Organization—Assessment Instrument for Mental
Health Systems, 2007; Department of Health, 2018). This ratio was known to be lower than other
Western Pacific countries with similar economic statuses, like Malaysia and Indonesia (Lally et al., 2019).
The Philippine government does not even provide economic support for organizations that have been
involved in the formulation and implementation of mental health policies and legislation (World Health
Organization—Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems, 2007). Consequently, mental illness
has become the third most common disability in the Philippines, wherein six million Filipinos live with
depression and anxiety. Because of this, the country has the third highest rate of mental disorders in the
Western Pacific (Martinez et al., 2020). positive for COVID-19.

In the Philippines, a country that experienced one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, close to 25 % of
respondents reported moderate-to-severe anxiety and 17 % reported moderate-to-severe depression and
psychological impact in a study examining the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and factors
contributing to the psychological impact of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to growing – and often unmet – mental health needs. The DOH
estimates that at least 3.6 million Filipinos are facing mental health issues during the pandemic, including
depression, substance use disorders such as alcohol use disorder, and mood disorders like bipolar
disorder. COVID-19 infection in itself has been found to directly impact a person’s mental health. A
recent DOH study found that one of three COVID-19 patients in the Philippines was diagnosed with a
mental health condition within six months of testing positive for COVID-19.
A person may experience multiple mental health conditions at the same time. Mental health conditions
can be present for a short period of time or last for a long time. There is no single cause for developing a
mental health condition. People living with a mental health condition can get better, recover, and thrive.
Whether you live with a mental health condition or are experiencing mental distress, help and support are
available. Treatments are available for mental health conditions, and treatment can help reduce the
symptoms and severity of mental health conditions. Some mental health conditions can also be prevented.

Risk factors
Mental health is influenced by many factors at multiple levels—individual, family, community, and
society. Risk factors increase the possibility of experiencing poor mental health while protective factors
increase the possibility of experiencing positive mental health.

Examples of risk factors

Social drivers such as experiencing interpersonal and institutional discrimination
Lack of access to housing, healthcare, education
Lack of access to employment and economic opportunities
Adverse childhood experiences and other types of interpersonal violence
Social isolation
Poor emotional well-being or coping skills
Ongoing or chronic medical conditions, such as a traumatic brain injury, cancer, or diabetes
Use of alcohol or drugs

Examples of protective factors

Access to quality employment, housing, education
Strong social connection and stable, positive relationships
Positive coping skills
Living in safe communities with access to preventive care and mental and physical health services
Not all people who are exposed to a risk factor experience mental distress. Risk factors for mental distress
may differ from risk factors for mental health conditions. People with no known risk factors may still
experience mental distress, and some may also develop a mental health condition. However, studies have
shown we can improve overall mental health if we work collectively at all levels to reduce risk factors
while promoting protective factors. In addition, preventing risk factors and promoting protective factors
are especially impactful for mental and physical health during critical developmental stages, such as in
childhood and adolescence.

Mental health conditions

For people who experience mental health symptoms that are serious, persistent, and interfere with daily
functioning, it may indicate the presence of a mental health condition.

Common mental health conditions include major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, panic disorder, and others.

Key definitions

Mental distress is a general term for a subjective sense of discomfort, mental anguish, perceived lack of
control, anxiety, or stress. This state is also known as psychological distress.

Well-being is a state of positive functioning and general satisfaction with life, including the presence of
positive emotions. This state may also be due to economic, environmental, and social conditions that
contribute to a sense of purpose and meaning.

Positive emotional well-being is when people manage emotions well and have a sense of meaning,
purpose, and supportive relationships.

A mental health condition is an illness or disorder that affects your thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood.
Mental Health Stigma

KEY POINTS

 Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes people may hold towards those who
experience mental health conditions.
 Stigma can prevent or delay people from seeking care or cause them to discontinue treatment.
  We can all play a part in helping to reduce mental health stigma.

Overview

Mental health conditions are common, and more treatments are available than ever to help people cope,
recover, and thrive. However, stigma can prevent or delay people from seeking care or cause them to
discontinue treatment.
Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes people may hold towards those who
experience mental health conditions. Stigma may also drive negative attitudes and beliefs surrounding
mental health, which can affect motivation to seek mental health treatment and care.
People living with mental health conditions have experienced stigma across many generations, cultures,
and societies. Although there is more understanding and acceptance today about mental health conditions,
many individuals and communities still hold negative attitudes or beliefs about those living with mental
health conditions.

Mental health stigma can take many forms:

 Structural stigma, involving laws, regulations, and policies that can limit the rights of those with
mental health conditions.
 Public stigma, which include negative attitudes and beliefs from individuals or from larger groups
towards people with mental health conditions, or their families or health care providers that care
for them.
 Self-stigma, which comes from within the person with a mental health condition. People living
with a mental health condition may believe they are flawed or blame themselves for having the
condition.
When stigma leads to discrimination, people living with mental health conditions may be treated
negatively. For example, people may experience being excluded by others in their social groups due to
their mental health conditions.

Reducing stigma
Reducing stigma may look like:

 Policies and practices that support people with a mental health condition, reducing barriers they
face in settings like workplaces and health care. Supportive policies and practices can help people
find and keep a job, secure safe housing, access quality health care services, obtain quality
education, among other benefits.
 Journalists, communicators, and others in the media working to educate the public responsibly
about mental health. This includes taking care to portray those with mental health conditions
accurately with nuance and context, and avoiding perpetuating negative, harmful stereotypes.
 Having open conversations around mental health. This includes using non-stigmatizing
language when talking about mental health. Opinion leaders and those with wide platforms can
also use their influence and reach to talk about their own mental health struggles and experiences.
 Treating those living with a mental health condition with understanding, empathy, and
acceptance, so that no one feels the need to hide their condition. Having personal, direct contact
with those mental health conditions have been shown to combat negative stereotypes and reduce
stigma.

Stress can cause the following:

Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
Changes in appetite, energy, desires, and interests
Trouble concentrating and making decisions
Nightmares or problems sleeping
Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes
Worsening of chronic health problems and mental health conditions
Increased use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances
Healthy ways to cope with stress
Learning to cope in a healthy way can help reduce your stress.

Taking small steps in your daily life to manage stress can have a big impact. Everyone manages
stress differently. You can find and manage what triggers your stress and the right combination of
healthy techniques that work for you.

Take care of your mind.

Take breaks from news and social media. It's good to be informed, but constant information about
negative events can be upsetting.
Make time to unwind.
Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
Keep a journal.
Spend time outdoors either being active or relaxing.
Try to do some other relaxing activities you enjoy.
Practice gratitude daily. Remind yourself of specific things you are grateful for and write them down.4
Connect with others.
Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Connect with your community-based or faith-based organizations.
Take care of your body.
Get enough sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day to help you sleep better. Adults need
7 or more hours per night.
Move more. Staying physically healthy can improve your emotional well-being. Every little bit of
physical activity helps.
Start small and build up to 2 ½ hours a week.
Break it into smaller amounts such as 20 to 30 minutes a day.
Eat healthy. Have fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low-fat or no-fat dairy. Limit
foods with unhealthy fats, salt, and added sugars.

Healthy Eating Tips.

Limit alcohol intake. Choose not to drink, or drink in moderation on days you drink alcohol. Moderation
means:
2 drinks or less a day for men.
1 drink or less for women.
Find out more at Drink Less, Be Your Best.
Avoid using illegal drugs or prescription drugs in ways other than prescribed. Don't take someone else's
prescription. Substance use treatment is available, and recovery starts with asking for help.
Avoid smoking, vaping, and the use of other tobacco products. People can and do quit smoking for good.
Continue with regular health appointments, tests, screenings, and vaccinations