University of San Carlos

GE-FEL MH-TBCY - Mental Health: Taking Better Control of Yourself

A.Y. 2020-2021 - 2nd Semester

Mental Health Survey Report

Group 5

Caya, Jeremy Barrientos

Novo, Vince Roi Mirasol
Ortega, Jan Joelle
Pantaleon, Bea Karylle Tariga
Vizcarra, Gabrielle Espiritu

Ace Alvin S. Lopez

Instructor

March 27, 2021

 As a Midterm requirement for GE-FEL MH-TBCY (Mental Health: Taking Better
Control of Yourself), we have conducted an asynchronous online survey on the different
perceptions and views of people from various age groups regarding their existing
knowledge on Mental Health is and how it is seen, especially to the Filipinos of today.

We asked for the participation of 30 random people as respondents of our survey

which comprised ten adolescents (ages 10-19), ten young adults (ages 20-30), and ten
adults (ages 31+). The majority of the respondents were female, amounting to 70% and
the remaining 30% consisted of males.

Figure 1. Gender Ratio of Respondents

Results and Discussion

Adolescents (ages 12-19)

According to our survey result, nine out of ten adolescents perceive mental
health as a state of well-being that encompasses our physical, psychological, and social
well-being that influences a person's mood, feelings, thoughts, and actions. However,
one respondent mentioned that such a health aspect is merely defined by disorders.

Six out of ten respondents recognize that there is a distinction between mental
health and mental illness in terms of definition. They defined mental illness as a group
of conditions that require treatment, whereas mental health is a person's overall mental
well-being. However, the other four respondents defined mental health and mental
illness interchangeably.

In terms of their source information about mental health, half of them answered
internet research, two from school, and another two from social media.
 When asked about their views about the current perception of mental health
among Filipinos, seven out of ten responded that Filipinos accept and believe that
mental health issues exist. Two respondents believe the Filipinos’ skepticism on the
existence of mental health issues, while one respondent contends that Filipinos deny
the existence of such issues.

In their own perceptions, seven out of ten adolescents recognize the

seriousness of mental health issues and the importance of taking them seriously. Two
respondents pointed out a common misconception that Filipinos have about mental
illness. While the other one gave an example of a mental illness and how it affects an
individual which other people failed to understand.

When asked about whom should they approach when experiencing emotional or
psychological difficulties, 5 out of 10 would seek help from a mental health professional.
Three would seek help from two different individuals at the same time: a mental health
professional and close friends, a mental health professional and relatives, and a mental
health professional and God. However, two respondents indicated that they would not
seek help from a mental health professional instead, they would ask for help from their
close friends and relatives.

Moreover, when asked about their ways of helping their friends or family
members suffering from a mental health problem, four of them would express their
concern and offer their support, as well as assist in seeking professional help and
providing information on how to address their issues. Three would listen without passing
judgment and focus on their immediate needs. While four respondents would converse
with them and show some positivity.

Young Adults (ages 20-30)

As for the people of this age range, seven out of ten respondents associate
mental health as part of a person’s holistic well-being, involving the emotional,
psychological, and social aspects. Two of them consider mental health as the state of
the mind, while one considers it as the condition of our thinking situation.

When asked about the difference between mental health and mental illness, all of
them were able to see the distinction, associating mental health with mental wellness as
opposed to mental illness being a condition and or part of mental health.
 Two of them have responded that most of the mental health information they
learned were from social media, one from the news, four have responded that they
acquired their knowledge from researching the topic on the internet, and the rest
obtained their information from school such as in class discussions and forums.

Regarding the question as to what can they say about the current perception of
Filipinos about issues related to mental health, three have said that Filipinos accept and
believe that mental health issues exist, two have mentioned that Filipinos have a
general reluctance towards the topic of mental health, three have said that Filipinos
deny of its existence, and the remaining two expounded on their answer more. One
says that it varies from the different age groups wherein some believe it, some
experience it, and some invalidate it. The last one mentions that Filipinos only accept
the issues being that the media has shown but never actually truly understand what kind
of effects mental illness does to a person.

For their own perceptions, they all have varying answers but six of them consider
mental health as a serious and sensitive topic that must be given importance, two are
happy that people are becoming more aware of it, one said that mental health is best
treated with friends and vacations and last but not the least, one said this: “For me,
there's nothing wrong of being you. I mean of what you are in the way you decide in
every situation you encounter that might use mental health. Because we have a
freedom to choose of what we are.”

Eight have chosen that should there be anyone that they know or they
themselves are going through emotional or psychological difficulties, they would seek
out a Mental Health Professional to help them solve their issues and three of the eight
have also included their close friends regarding the matter. One of them has said that
they would seek out help from their relatives and one has said that they would rather
keep it to themselves.

If anyone in their life is suffering from a mental health issue, five of the
respondents have said that they would help or support them by talking, listening, and
giving them advice if they have any, four of them have said that they would be “by their
side” to show their support and one of them would personally direct them to counselors
and provide contact numbers for people who provide free services that can help their
problems.
Adults (ages 31+)

Eight of the respondents consider mental health to be a person’s state of

well-being while one considers it a condition and one says it affects and forms issues to
society like being afflicted with sadness and depression.

Between Mental Health and Mental Illness, all the respondents consider mental
illness as a negative affliction to a person’s mental health. As mental health is more of
state of mind or about the mental wellness of an individual.

For these individuals, three of them have mentioned that most of their information
regarding mental health comes from social media, three have said theirs came from
researching on the internet, two have said that theirs came from community
development programs, one from the news, and one from the radio.

Five of the respondents have observed that Filipinos have a general reluctance
towards mental health issues. Four of them believe that Filipinos accept and believe
that mental health issues exist and one believes that Filipinos deny the existence of
such.

For their own perceptions regarding mental health, nine of the respondents have
said that mental health issues should be taken seriously and are stigmatized which
shouldn’t be. One of the respondents think of mental health issues as a person’s
condition regarding their emotional well-being.

Should there be anyone that the respondents know that is going through
emotional psychological difficulties or they themselves are going through such, six of
the respondents would refer to mental health professionals to address their difficulties.
Three would refer to a close friend or close friends. Lastly, one would refer to relatives,
mental health professionals, and close friends.

As to their response on if anyone in their lives is suffering from a mental health

issue then what can they do to help or support them, three of the respondents have said
that they would help in seeking out a mental health care professional to address their
issue. The remaining seven would prefer to talk, give advice, and give them emotional
support.
Overall data analysis

Figure 2. Sources of information about Mental Health

According to the data that we have gathered from 3 different age groups, the internet is
the most commonly chosen source of information about topics of Mental health.

Figure 3. Current Perception of Filipinos of Issues on Mental Health

From the data alone, a majority of the respondents have said that Filipinos are currently
more accepting and believe that mental health issues do exist.
 Figure 4. Referrals

Most of the respondents have declared that they would refer to a mental health
professional should there be anyone that they know of or themselves that is going
through emotional or psychological difficulties.
List of respondents

Ages 12-19

Caya, Queenie Rose

Solon, Stephanie
Caya, Sherwin Jay
Amolib, Aubrey Anne
Pantojan, Stella Marie
Caayohan, Yssa Marie
Donaldo, Reign Juvenile
Bregildo, Princess Mae
Con-ui, Rey Augustine
Balabis, Recy Noor

Ages 20-30

Manu Espiritu
Niellen Aimera
Jee Criz Alexis Quitara
Edwin Sean Mañoza
Mary Rolyn Uga
Jeremie Sumaylo
Yurelly Love Senarillos
Nicole Ugsang
Leighann Saavedra
Alyssa Teves

Ages 31+

Olis, Candelaria
Pantaleon, Julia
Nabuan, Helen
Autida, Elena
Cowan, Ryan Mark
Dejacto, Analiza
Misaya, John
Ortega, Ethel
Ouano, Jane
Decierdo, Jocelyn