UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS

Understanding
Mental Health
Mental Health and the stigma in the Philippines

Prepared by:
Ydanne Mariel D. Lopez, RPm
 “THERE IS NO
HEALTH WITHOUT
MENTAL HEALTH”
- World Health Organization
 WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

The World Health Organization (WHO) conceptualizes mental health as a

“state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities,
can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and
fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, social well-being

It affects how we think, feel, and act.

Mental Health
State of well-being in which the
individual realizes his or her own
abilities, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is
able to make a contribution to his
or her community”.
Mental Illness
also called mental health disorders,
refers to a wide range of mental
health conditions — disorders that
affect your mood, thinking and
behavior.
RA 11036

Mental Health Act

of the Philippines
The state commits itself to promoting the well-being of
people by ensuring that; mental health is valued,
promoted and protected; mental health conditions are
treated and prevented; timely, affordable, high quality,
and culturally-appropriate mental health case is made
available to the public; mental health service are free
from coercion and accountable to the service users; and
persons affected by mental health conditions are able
to exercise the full range of human rights, and
participate fully in society and at work free from
stigmatization and discrimination.
 THE IMPORTANCE
OF MENTAL HEALTH
Why is it important to take care of our Mental Health?
THE IMPORTANCE Mental and physical health are
equally important components
OF MENTAL HEALTH of overall health.

Mental Health plays a crucial

role in relationships

Mental Health affects

the Quality of Life
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE NEGLECT
OUR MENTAL HEALTH?
Chronic Physical Health
Issues

Instability in Your Daily Life

Incarceration

Suicide
 STIGMA ON
MENTAL HEALTH
Misconceptions, Discriminations and Misunderstandings
 WHAT IS STIGMA?
Stigma involves negative attitudes or discrimination against someone
based on a distinguishing characteristic such as a mental illness, health
condition, or disability. Social stigmas can also be related to other
characteristics including gender, sexuality, race, religion, and culture.

The lack of awareness can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations

regarding mental health

Many forms of stigma affect people with mental illnesses

 Ancient Beliefs - In ancient civilizations,

HISTORY OF mental illnesses were often attributed to

supernatural causes, such as possession

STIGMA
by evil spirits.

Medieval Views - During the Middle

Ages, mental illness was often
associated with demonic possession or
moral weakness.

Asylums and Institutionalization - The

18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of
asylums, which were intended to
provide care for those with mental
illnesses.

Media Portrayals - erroneous media

portrayal regarding mental
illness/challenges
HISTORY OF
STIGMA
Stigmatizing Language - "I have OCD",
"You're so Bipolar", "You're too Anti-
social", "I feel Depressed"

Cultural Factors - Cultural beliefs and

norms have influenced perceptions of
mental health
 TRUE OR FALSE
Mental Illness is a
sign of Weakness
FALSE
Having mental illness does not define us.
It is not a sign of weakness or a lack of
personal character. We are so much more
than our flaws/disabilities
Mental illness makes a
person violent
FALSE
This stigma wrongly associates mental illness
with dangerous behavior or violence. In reality,
individuals with mental health issues are more
likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.
 TRUE OR FALSE
People who talk about their
mental health are genuinely
struggling
TRUE
Discussing mental health openly
can be a courageous step towards
seeking support and breaking
down stigma.
Shame prevents people
from seeking help
TRUE
Stigmatizing beliefs surrounding mental
health can create feelings of shame and
guilt for individuals experiencing mental
health challenges.
 TRUE OR FALSE
Mental health disorders are
incurable
FALSE
The belief that mental health
disorders are incurable
undermines the potential for
recovery and growth.
Mental illness is common
TRUE
This misconception
underestimates the prevalence of
mental health issues.
 TRUE OR FALSE
Only "Crazy" People Have Mental
Health Problems
FALSE
Associating mental health issues
exclusively with extreme forms of
"craziness" oversimplifies the diverse
range of mental health experiences.
Mental illness happens when an
"Engkanto" cursed you/is
attracted to you
FALSE
Some Filipinos attribute mental health
problems to supernatural causes, such as
curses or evil spirits, rather than considering
biological or psychological factors.
 TRUE OR FALSE
Mental Health issues are a Strong faith can't cure Mental
Western Concept illness
FALSE TRUE
This myth suggests that Faith can be a source of
mental health problems strength and comfort,
are not inherent to professional help and evidence-
based treatments are often
Filipino culture and are
necessary to effectively
instead introduced by
manage mental health
Western influences.
conditions.
Children can experience Mental
Health issues
TRUE
Believing that children are
immune to mental health
problems neglects the fact
that mental health issues can
affect individuals of all ages,
including children and
adolescents.
 PROTECTIVE AND
RISK FACTORS
What contributes to the development and progression of mental health disorders?
Protective Factors
Are characteristics, circumstances, or conditions
that enhance an individual's ability to cope with
stress, adversity, and challenges, thereby reducing
the likelihood of developing mental health
problems.
Protective Factors
Strong Social Healthy Coping Positive Self-Esteem
Support Skills and Self-Efficacy
Having a network of Having coping skills help Believing in one's abilities
friends, family, and other manage stress, emotion and having a positive self-
supportive relationships regulation and healthy image can help on one's
gives a sense of outlets resilience and mental well-
belongingness and being
positive interactions
Protective Factors
Stable Family Access to Education Healthy Lifestyle Strong Problem-
Environment and Resources Choices Solving Skills
A supportive and Having access to A healthy lifestyle can The ability to analyze
nurturing family education, employment contribute to better situations, generate
environment can opportunities, and mental health effective solutions, and
provide stability and resources can promote a take constructive actions
sense of security sense of purpose and can enhance resilience.
accomplishment.
Risk Factors
Are factors or conditions that increase the
likelihood of a person developing mental
health disorders or experiencing
psychological distress.
Risk Factors
Genetic Traumatic Chronic Stress Substance Abuse
Predisposition Experiences
Family history of Exposure to trauma, Prolonged exposure to Alcohol and drug misuse
mental health abuse, neglect, or violence high levels of stress can disrupt brain function
disorders can increase can contribute to the without adequate coping and increase susceptibility
development of mental mechanisms can to mental health disorders.
the risk of an individual
health problems. negatively impact mental
developing similar
well-being.
conditions.
Risk Factors
Social Isolation
Chronic Medical Major Life Changes Poverty and
Conditions Socioeconomic
Lack of social Having access to Significant life events Disadvantage
connections and education, employment such as divorce, loss of Limited access to
support can opportunities, and a loved one, or job loss resources, education,
resources can promote a can trigger or and healthcare can
contribute to
sense of purpose and exacerbate mental contribute to stress
feelings of loneliness
accomplishment. health problems. and impact mental
and depression.
well-being.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!
See you on our next meeting :)