Filipinos aware of mental health issues but unsure how to respond: survey

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

MANILA, Philippines — While older generations of Filipinos used to unequivocally dismiss mental health issues as just excuses young people make to justify their unusual behavior and the wrong choices that they have made, more and more Filipino adults now recognize that mental health issues are real and that they need to be taken seriously. The trouble is that they do not know exactly what to do or are unsure about what actions to take to respond properly to situations involving mental health issues.

This insight or “dilemma” reflects one of the key findings of the latest AXA Mind Health Study, a survey spearheaded by AXA Philippines, one of the largest insurance companies in the country.

The study shows that the Philippines ranks among the highest globally when it comes to mental health awareness, with 65% of Filipinos stating that they are aware of mental health issues. However, the study also reveals a concerning gap: Only about a third of those surveyed stated knowing what to actually do when faced with mental health challenges, whether for themselves or others.

Paula Ferrer Cheng, Head of Research and Development at Mind You, said that it is not enough to know what anxiety looks like.

“People need to know what to do. Awareness without action leaves people stuck, and in some cases, vulnerable to worsening conditions. That’s why education must go hand-in-hand with any awareness effort. We need to ensure that Filipinos not only recognize mental health issues but also know how to respond. Without that, we risk letting early warning signs escalate into long-term distress," Cheng said. 

She pointed out that this disconnect between awareness and action poses real risks. Without clear knowledge on how to respond to prevailing mental conditions, the health issues may go unnoticed and the “inaction” may result in long-term emotional and economic tolls.

According to the findings of the survey, individuals who are well-informed about mental health — those who know the signs, where to access available support, and how to respond — are significantly more likely to report positive mental well-being and experience better outcomes than those who do not consider themselves well-informed.

“Awareness is an important first step, but real progress happens when people know they can take action with the right support,” said Ayman Kandil, CEO of AXA Philippines. 

Committed to help address this gap through various initiatives, the company created a new tool for mental health awarenes called the Mind Health Self-Check. It is a digital tool designed to give individuals a clear, accessible overview of their emotional wellbeing. With a clear understanding of their emotional wellbeing, individuals can better manage their mental state.

The digital tool evaluates three critical areas of a person’s life: Current State of Mind, Skills and Beliefs, and Lifestyle. By answering a set of detailed questions, users receive a single Mind Health Index score, developed using the brand's proprietary methodology, which ranges from 0 to 100. This score falls under one of four distinct categories:

• Flourishing (68+): The highest level, indicating excellent emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing.
• Getting By (57-68): A stable state with some positive aspects, but not fully flourishing.
• Languishing (43-57): A state with low motivation and wellbeing, signaling the need for improvement.
• Struggling (<43): Indicates difficulty and distress in many areas, often associated with emotional and psychosocial impairment.

“The findings we see aren’t isolated,” Cheng noted. “They reflect deeper strain that builds over time and highlights the need for early, compassionate support.”

In a separate study conducted by Mind You, among 15,206 employees surveyed, the top reason for seeking help was simply the need for someone to talk to (28.01%), showing that connection and safe spaces matter. With 80% of help-seeking driven by emotional distress rather than clinical diagnosis, and growing curiosity about mental health services (6.07%), the findings point to a cultural shift toward empathy and openness at work.

“When people don’t know how to respond to mental health challenges, they may delay getting support — impacting both their personal wellbeing and their livelihoods,” Kandil stressed. “Filipinos who are more informed are better equipped to take action and to thrive."

Check out the free and anonymous AXA Mind Health Self-Check to access actionable self-care guides, tips, and pieces of advice that can help build self-awareness and make informed decisions about one’s mental well-being. 

RELATED: New DepEd helpline allows students to call mental health counselors