Joselito Malig

Article (news)

THUMBNAIL

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Mental health professionals have warned that labeling people with psychological conditions as weak is not just insensitive. It is dangerous.</p><p>Psychiatrist Dr. Jules Juen, in an interview with ABS-CBN News, said equating mental illness with weakness reinforces stigma and may further discourage people from seeking help.</p><p>“Hindi po natin dapat tawaging weak ang isang taong may mental health condition. Kapag itinuturing itong kahinaan, mas lalong tumitindi ang stigma at discrimination. Nababawasan ang paghingi ng tulong at tumataas ang panganib ng self-harm and suicide,” he said. </p><p>The warning comes after a remark made by Senator Robinhood Padilla during a hearing reignited a broader conversation about how society talks about mental health and why language matters. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/11/padilla-calls-today-s-youth-weak-warns-of-effects-of-social-media-1745"><strong>Padilla calls today’s youth ‘weak,’ warns of effects of social media</strong></a></div><p>During discussions at the Senate related to youth safety online, Padilla claimed that his comments about young people being “weak” were based on suicide data reviewed by his office and not meant as a personal opinion.</p><p>Research consistently shows that stigma is one of the biggest hurdle to treatment. When people fear being judged, dismissed, or labeled, they are less likely to open up about their struggles  even to family members or doctors.</p><p>Juen described mental health as a “quiet but severe crisis,” one that requires both family-level compassion and state-level support.</p><p>He emphasized that the language used at home matters just as much as public discourse.  </p><p>“Labanan ang stigma sa loob ng bahay. Palitan natin ito ng ‘naiintindihan kita’ at ‘valid ang nararamdaman mo.’”</p><div><strong>Young Filipinos and mental health disorder</strong></div><p>Data from the Philippine National Survey on Mental Health and Well-Being underscored how widespread the issue is. </p><p>More than one in five young people experienced a mental health disorder within a year. In practical terms, that means in a classroom of 40 students, around eight to ten may be silently dealing with serious psychological distress.</p><p>What is even more alarming is that over four percent of surveyed youth reported having attempted suicide.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/12/-nakakagalit-gen-z-er-chides-robin-padilla-for-calling-today-s-youth-weak-1120"><strong>&#x27;Nakakagalit!&#x27; Gen Z&#x27;er chides Robin Padilla for calling today&#x27;s youth &#x27;weak&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>These numbers challenge the idea that mental health struggles are rare or exaggerated. They also highlight why dismissive language can carry real consequences. </p><p>The survey notes that conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, depression, and trauma-related disorders are medical and psychiatric realities and not character flaws.</p><div><strong>Youths push back</strong></div><p>Student leader Francesca Duran of the National Union of Students of the Philippines says many young people today are not fragile. Rather, they are navigating extraordinary pressures shaped by social, economic, and political realities.</p><p>She points to the pandemic as a turning point for many students whose education and social development were disrupted for several years.</p><p>“It’s not just because the youth are weak kaya kami nagsu-struggle. The overall response of the government at that time led us to that position.”</p><p>For Duran, sweeping generalizations about an entire generation ignore inequality and lived experience. </p><p>“We are here and we have genuine calls na dapat pinapakinggan at tinutugunan. That does not speak for the majority ng mga kabataan.”</p><p>Her message echoes a broader shift among young advocates, that mental health conversations must move beyond blame and toward accountability, access, and empathy.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/11/17/22/mental-health-issues-rise-among-filipino-youth"><strong>Mental health issues continue to increase among Filipino youth - psychiatrist </strong></a> </div><p>The Philippines already has legal frameworks meant to protect mental health, including the Philippine Mental Health Act and the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. These laws aim to strengthen services, expand access, and integrate mental health into public systems.</p><p>But experts say legislation alone is not enough.</p><p>For policies to work, society must also deal with and solve everyday attitudes that minimize psychological suffering. Words from leaders, educators, families, and media shape how people interpret their own struggles. </p><p>Psychiatrists emphasize a simple but powerful reframing, seeking help is not a failure of character. It is an act of strength.</p><div><strong>EDITOR&#x27;S NOTE:</strong></div><div><em>For those experiencing depression you can call the DOH mental health crisis hotline: </em></div><div><em>1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free) </em></div><div><em>1553</em></div><div><em>180018881553</em></div><div><em>09190571553</em></div><div><em>09178998727</em></div><div><em> </em></div><div><em>Natasha Goulbourn Foundation hotline:</em></div><div><em>(02) 804-HOPE (4673)</em></div><div><em>0917 558 HOPE (4673)</em></div><div><em>0918-873-4679</em></div><div><em>2919 (toll-free number for GLOBE and TM subscribers)</em></div><div><em> </em></div><div><em>In Touch Crisis Lines</em></div><div><em>8893-7603</em></div><div><em>09190560709</em></div><div><em>09178001123</em></div><div><em>09228938944</em></div><div><em> </em></div><div><em>Hopeline PH:</em></div><div><em>8804 4673</em></div><div><em>09175584673</em></div><div><em>09188734673</em></div><div>  </div>

<p>Psychiatrist Dr. Jules Juen said equating mental illness with weakness reinforces stigma and may further discourage people from seeking help.</p>

Psychiatrist Dr. Jules Juen said equating mental illness with weakness reinforces stigma and may further discourage people from seeking help.

Tagging people with mental health conditions ‘weak’ is dangerous, expert warns

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Tagging people with mental health conditions ‘weak’ is dangerous, expert warns

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 12, 2026 08:16 PM PHT

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Updated February 12, 2026 08:18 PM PHT

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