The weight on our shoulders 

Cita Astals, a known comedian, expressed years ago her journey to healing and rehabilitation due to a mental illness. She said that she should have kept mum about her illness because of the stigma. To this day, she still experiences harassment brought by the fact of her mental issues.

In Baguio City alone, trigger warning, suicide cases as of March 2026 had 15 cases which is alarming considering we are still on our first semester of the year. Proposals by the Council like putting high barriers in our overpasses are being discussed. An ordinance to create a stronger mental health system is being passed. These steps may help but I guess the root causes should be addressed. We need more than skin-deep and Band-Aid solutions.

For one, our mental well-being system is a specialist-centered process. What do I mean? Psychiatrists are the ones who diagnose and prescribe medications on top of therapy. Psychologists are there but we hardly refer to them for our essential tests and therapies. Guidance Counselors are there but not all are well equipped to handle cases in schools.

I believe that mental health is a community driven advocacy. It starts at home with good parenting, the best support systems and the awareness of everyone despite being a subject matter stigmatized in our household conversations. It continues to the schools for our youngsters and focuses on creating safe spaces and workplaces for our workers. It includes an intensive developmental training for teens until they are adults.

It begins with empathy, a non-judgmental confidante or perhaps an accepting faith. It is the power to refer a case to our professionals without fear of rumor-mongering. It is teaching children to cope and master the aspects of living as it is — full of emotions. It is accepting one is not okay and knowing to handle one’s self with combined help from everyone.

Sometimes it’s a purpose-driven journey. The finding for the zest of life. The right to find happiness despite the harsh realities of life. The right to live and be loved in return as a partner, friend or colleague. The right to be heard and be listened to. The right to express and feel.