Advancing Psychological Interventions to Combat Mental Health Stigma and Foster Community Resilience in the Philippines: A Culturally-Informed Framework for Social Development

Authors

  • Yue Hu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62051/ijphmr.v4n1.03

Keywords:

Mental Health Stigma, Community Resilience, Culturally-Informed Interventions

Abstract

This study explores mental health stigma in the Philippines and proposes a culturally-informed psychological framework to improve community resilience and intervention effectiveness. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, it examines how cultural concepts such as hiya (shame), spiritual beliefs, and social norms shape attitudes toward mental illness and help-seeking. The research highlights the limitations of current systems despite the passage of the Mental Health Act of 2018 and offers recommendations for more accessible, culturally sensitive, and sustainable community-based mental health services. The findings underscore the importance of resilience in reducing stigma and promoting long-term social development.

References

[1] Department of Health. (2018). Philippine Mental Health Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11036). Government of the Philippines.

[2] Garcia, F. P. (2017). Overcoming mental health stigma in the Philippines: Exploring Filipino help-seeking behavior. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 50(2), 213-230.

[3] Hechanova, M. R. M., & Waelde, L. (2017). Resilience, culture, and disaster mental health: Insights from the Philippines. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, 19(3), 1-9.

[4] Madrid, B. J., Manderson, L., & Tan, M. L. (2011). Post-disaster mental health: Psychosocial impact and community resilience after Typhoon Ketsana. Disasters, 35(3), 504-522.

[5] Nadal, K. L. (2011). Filipino American psychology: A handbook of theory, research, and clinical practice. Wiley.

[6] Tan, M. (2013). Mental health and psychosocial support in the Philippines: Challenges and possibilities. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 25(5), 443-446.

[7] World Health Organization. (2020). Mental health workforce data. WHO

[8] Tol, W. A., Barbui, C., Galappatti, A., Silove, D., Betancourt, T. S., Souza, R., … & van Ommeren, M. (2011). Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: Linking practice and research. The Lancet, 378(9802), 1581-1591.

[9] World Health Organization. (2018). Mental health in emergencies. WHO.

[10] World Health Organization. (2020). Mental health workforce data. WHO.

[11] Department of Health. (2018). Philippine Mental Health Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11036). Government of the Philippines.

[12] Garcia, F. P. (2017). Overcoming mental health stigma in the Philippines: Exploring Filipino help-seeking behavior. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 50(2), 213-230.

[13] Hechanova, M. R. M., & Waelde, L. (2017). Resilience, culture, and disaster mental health: Insights from the Philippines. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, 19(3), 1-9.

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Published

29-05-2025

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hu, Y. (2025). Advancing Psychological Interventions to Combat Mental Health Stigma and Foster Community Resilience in the Philippines: A Culturally-Informed Framework for Social Development. International Journal of Public Health and Medical Research, 4(1), 13-24. https://doi.org/10.62051/ijphmr.v4n1.03