The Truth About Mental Health in the Philippines amongst the Gen-Z and Millennial’s
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT:
Tawag Paglaum – Centro Bisaya – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068862624004
WiSupport – https://www.facebook.com/DSWDWiSUPPORT
Mental health isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a silent pandemic. In this powerful “Emotional ROI” segment of The Karencitta Show [Season 2], we pull back the curtain on the alarming mental health crisis affecting millions of young Filipinos today.
According to the Department of Health, 3.6 million Filipinos are battling mental health issues — and broader studies suggest this number could be closer to 12 million. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia are at the core of this surge, with suicide now the second leading cause of death among Filipino youth aged 15 to 29. What’s behind this crisis? And how do we begin to heal?
Joining Karencitta is Kirk Patrick Castro, a seasoned mental health professional and advocate, and the Founder & CEO of Gestalt Wellness Institute Southeast Asia. Kirk is a Registered Guidance Counselor and Psychometrician, an International Certified Gestalt Therapist, and a Life Skills Coach — currently pursuing his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Silliman University. With over a decade of frontline experience, he shares deep insight on how young people can understand, process, and overcome the struggles they face.
Whether you’re struggling silently, supporting a friend, or simply curious about how to be mentally healthier in a chaotic world — this episode will meet you where you are.
Plus, we talk about Karencitta’s own journey with Gestalt Wellness Institute, and how therapy helped her realign with herself.
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3:02 What exactly is Anxiety and Depression?
3:33 Sadness vs. Major Depressive Disorder aka Clinical Depression
4:25 DSM?
4:55 Strong indictor of Major Depressive Disorder
5:45 The prevalence among Filipino Gen Z and Millennials today
8:19 Societal, digital or even spiritual pressures that might be contributing?
9:19 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
9:49 OFW’s
11:08 Common misconceptions 12:30 Cultural expectations — like “tiis lang” or “laban lang”
15:29 High-functioning individuals
16:59 Clinical Depression
17:38 Labeling and entitlement
18:00 What is Anxiety?
18:09 Biggest silent killers 19:44 Post-Pandemic Anxiety 20:23 Advice: household taboo 20:45 Mental Health Act 22:18 Psychoeducation 23:06 Advice: pressure from their own family
24:45 Causes of pressures, “soft quitting,” “burning out,” or constantly anxious
25:26 Toxic hustle culture in the Philippines? Seen = laziness and burnout = a badge of honor
26:44 First steps to take when Depressed
28:10 Grounding techniques or habits that you
29:04 How to journal
29:44 Trauma-informed approach
30:55 Relational Therapy
31:57 Q&A from the Cittababes Community
34:12 Karencitta’s journey with Gestalt Wellness Institute
34:55 Where is the Clinic?
36:16 Personal definition of Emotional Resilience
36:46 The Healing Playlist