The Unexpected Ways Filipino Culture Can Support Mental Health, According to An Expert
We take a look at the built-in safeguards our unique culture has for mental health.
There’s a particular image plucked from provincial life around the Philippines that, if you are Filipino, you are probably familiar with: a bahay kubo, with its thatched nipa roof, raised on a bed of bamboo stilts, being carried on the backs of over a dozen sturdy men in an effort to move the entire house from one location to another. It’s an entire community coming together to help one of its members. It symbolizes, in terms that almost every Filipino will understand, bayanihan.
Much like our practices of pagmamano, pamamanhikan, and putting up our Christmas decorations in September, we don’t question bayanihan, or the spirit of unity. It’s just something that we know is part of us, our culture, our identity. Filipino culture has always been credited with promoting strong ties in family and community. And while putting oneself first is critical to our well-being and mental health, there is equal value in nurturing the bonds of family and community.
A mental health crisis—and what Filipinos can do about it
Eiza Fusingan-Lapay, RPsy, the chief well-being officer of international mental health organization MindNation shares that today, feelings of isolation are rampant, which she attributes to the rise of the digital era, as well as the literal isolating that had to be practiced during the pandemic. “The use of all these digital platforms,” she says, “minimizes the sense of physical communication or interaction.”
A 2024 study conducted by MindNation also showed that levels of stress and anxiety are at a record high for Filipinos, with 79 percent experiencing mental health struggles, and with feelings of stress, worry, sadness, and emptiness on the rise. According to Cat Triviño, co-founder and chief product and data officer of MindNation, “It’s a mental health crisis quietly unfolding.”
For the average Filipino, securing—and paying for—mental health support is not always possible. And while professional care is the standard, we don’t have to look too far for ways to assist us in the quest to quiet the anxiety, worry, and stress in our minds.
In fact, we don’t have to look anywhere else but to ourselves, as a people. Filipino culture actually has a lot of built-in safeguards to make sure that folks stay mentally healthy—such as bayanihan—and these are already ingrained in us and our daily lives.
“There’s really a call to not shut off the values that make us who we are as Filipinos. We need to be able to see how our identity can co-exist with the fast-paced world,” says Fusingan-Lapay. “When we focus on our identity as Filipinos, with these cultural values or these practices from our ancestors, it’s like we are attached to something bigger, the communal perspective, and that makes you feel like you’re not alone. And in terms of mental health support, we want to make people feel that they’re not alone.”
Here are some concepts from Philippine culture that you already may be familiar with, and that you can turn to and integrate in your lives.
Kapwa or pakikipagkapwa tao
“Kapwa,” explains Fusingan-Lapay, “is the concept of the shared inner self.” This, she says, frames our understanding of the ‘self,’ not as isolated, but as interdependent, and part of a larger community. “What this means,” she continues, “is that in difficult times, we often seek comfort, strength, and healing through our connections with our family, friends, and community.”
Pakikipagkapwa tao, on the other hand, is treating others with dignity and empathy, says Fusingan-Lapay.
“It’s about relational support,” she says, “about reaching out to loved ones, sharing activities, like dinner time, or family time, or sharing in the same faith or religious practices, which we do as a people. Our relationships sustain us, and it impacts our well-being when we feel we are supported.”
Pakikisama or pakikiramay
Pakikisama or pakikiramay deals with sharing communal values. “Pakikisama or pakikiramay,” explains Fusingan-Lapay, “results in people feeling supported because there are other individuals they can relate to.” She points out that this concept can actually be very useful in the workplace, where people can find support in each other. “In maintaining mental wellness, it’s really important to build that culture of connectedness, empathy, and collective responsibility.”
Kwento
Kwento, as it turns out, is not merely about being the neighborhood maritess. When done with the right intentions, it serves a deeper purpose. “It’s therapeutic, and a bonding act,” says Fusingan-Lapay. “It helps to strengthen social support, which, in turn, serves our well-being.”
To properly harness the power of kwento, Fusingan-Lapay recommends having caring conversations with trusted friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, or even mental health professionals. “I really encourage it, especially if you think that your thoughts are too negative and you can’t handle them on your own. They may become lighter when you share it with someone. It’s an emotional release. Fears that are shared are more likely to diminish.”
Ginhawa
Ginhawa is the state of ease, or relief from stress. And to achieve this state, it’s essential that we pay attention to our bodies. “Your body is like a machine, but, of course, it has its limitations,” explains Fusingan-Lapay. “Just like your phone, it needs to be charged.” She advises creating a mindful lifestyle, with good sleep, nutrition, movement and relaxation. All of these are crucial to staying mentally healthy. “Try short walks, mindful meditation, breathing exercises, stretching—activities to restore that inner calm.”
The flipside: hiya, utang na loob, pagtitiis, religious fatalism
As always, there are two sides to a coin. While there are existing practices and concepts in Philippine culture that support mental health, there are also those that have the potential and ability to send it on a downward spiral. Fusingan-Lapay mentions these in particular: hiya, utang na loob, pagtitiis, and religious fatalism.
Hiya
Hiya, she explains, is about shame, which can impact a lot of our thoughts and actions. When it comes to mental health issues, it can particularly influence whether or not someone seeks help. “We have this idea that when you have mental health issues, it’s a disgrace to the family,” says Fusingan-Lapay. “Superstitions or religious beliefs are also still entangled in our culture, so mental health issues can also be viewed as a curse.” This discourages people from openly discussing their mental or emotional struggles, or worse, from seeking help.
Utang na loob
Utang na loob, or the debt of gratitude, is already notorious in our culture. “This is really huge,” says Fusingan-Lapay. “With the pressure to maintain loyalty or silence, even in toxic or abusive environments, especially within families or in a hierarchical relationship like in the workplace, you may experience psychological distress, because you feel like you owe someone too much to speak up or even ask for support.” This, she clarifies, results in prioritizing relational obligations over personal well-being.
Pagtitiis
On the other hand, resilience, says Fusingan-Lapay, is good, “but at some point, if it’s romanticized, it could also invalidate the suffering of the individual and the person would just feel like, I need to endure this.” This results in the concept of pagtitiis. “We think it’s a virtue when we endure things. While this can promote strength, yes, in times of crisis, it can also delay necessary intervention.”
Religious fatalism
While the importance of faith in our culture can be a positive most of the time, Fusingan-Lapay warns that it can also have a negative impact, particularly when the strength of our beliefs spirals into religious fatalism. “Sometimes, mental health illness is seen as a result of ‘having a lack of faith.’ So if you have mental illness, people will tell you that you just need to pray,” Fusingan-Lapay explains. “This actually makes it even more discouraging for people to seek help, and it can even give spirituality a negative connotation.”
A final word: Use your own judgment
Fusingan-Lapay cautions that while it’s great to integrate the concepts of kapwa, pakikisama, kwento, and ginhawa into our everyday lives, it’s critical to also be aware of other cultural norms and practices that may be detrimental to our mental health. “We have to recognize that our cultural beliefs can be a double-edged sword,” she concludes. That said, just as how we make daily decisions on the best route to take to get to work or school, or if it’s better to pack baon for lunch or to order in, we still need to use our judgment on which Filipino norms and traditions will, ultimately, make our lives better.
