From Silence to Solutions: Unilab’s Heads Up PH paves the way for mental health awareness
Mental health is crucial for Filipinos in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, where everyday stresses, social media pressure, and limited resources take a toll on emotional well-being. For the younger generation, this landscape can be even more challenging, as they face unique pressures from school, family, and society. The rising mental health struggles in the Philippines call for community-wide attention and action. That’s why organizations like Unilab Foundation are stepping in with innovative programs like Heads Up PH to bridge the gap in mental health support and awareness.
Heads Up PH: Empowering Filipino Youth
Unilab Foundation’s Heads Up PH initiative, in collaboration with government agencies such as the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health, and the Commission on Higher Education, seeks to make mental health resources accessible across the nation’s schools and colleges. Since its inception, Heads Up PH has trained over 5,000 school personnel and community leaders as “gatekeepers” for mental health across 17 regions. Through its Race Against Suicide Toolkit, Heads Up PH equips teachers and school staff to provide immediate support to students. “We aim to close the loop with a strategic approach, including access to mental health professionals. Once risks are detected, appropriate interventions are immediately in place,” said Marie Joan Urieta, Unilab Foundation’s Program and Strategic Support Director.
Addressing Systemic Gaps in Mental Health Support
Despite the program’s progress, systemic gaps in mental health resources remain a challenge, especially in public schools, where there may be just one guidance counselor for every 25,000 students. This lack of resources often leaves students without essential support, which contributes to a concerning rise in mental health issues. Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson, former president of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association and principal resource person for Heads Up PH, highlighted, “Undiagnosed mental health conditions prevent access to necessary programs.” This is a significant barrier, as students are left without proper diagnosis or access to professional support, with private mental health services often being financially out of reach.
Tackling Stigma and Building Awareness
One of the primary obstacles to mental health care in the Philippines is the enduring stigma. Many young Filipinos experiencing mental health struggles hesitate to seek help from family or professionals, opting instead to confide in friends. According to the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute, 62% of youth who experienced suicidal thoughts did not seek help from anyone, and only 2% who attempted suicide consulted a professional. “Many people are unaware of the signs of mental health concerns or lack the tools to assess them,” said Dr. Hocson, pointing to the need for increased mental health literacy.
Dr. Hocson also noted, “If Filipinos have better mental health literacy, they’ll know when to seek help and have the courage to face their problems.” Heads Up PH encourages both students and school personnel to develop mental health literacy, allowing communities to recognize, address, and reduce mental health stigma.
Tools and Training: The Race Against Suicide Toolkit
Heads Up PH is helping to bridge the shortage of mental health professionals by empowering school staff with tools for early intervention. The Race Against Suicide Toolkit, developed by Unilab Foundation, is designed to help teachers, counselors, and administrators recognize and respond to mental health concerns before they escalate. This toolkit has been piloted in schools nationwide, filling critical gaps in support due to the shortage of trained mental health professionals. “We aim to close the gaps with a strategic approach as soon as tendencies or risks are detected,” explained Urieta.
The initiative also includes the Child and Adolescent Risk Screener (CARS), which is used in public schools to collect data and guide the development of evidence-based mental health policies. This data-driven approach ensures that Heads Up PH can adapt its strategies to the evolving needs of Filipino youth.
Mental Health for the Helpers: Supporting Professionals
Mental health support is crucial not only for students but also for the professionals dedicated to helping them. Dr. Hocson shared, “If someone is overworked or doing more than they can handle, they are at risk of burnout.” She highlighted that even mental health professionals often need counseling to manage the pressures of their work, and she knows several psychiatrists who seek support through counseling themselves.
She also emphasized the importance of boundaries and mentorship for mental health professionals: “As a psychologist and counselor, I can’t counsel my own children or husband—at most, we can have informal conversations,” she said, stressing that such boundaries are essential for the effectiveness of therapy. “Submitting ourselves to the guidance of other professionals ensures that we, too, can remain mentally well and continue serving others effectively,” she added.
Creating Future-Ready Communities
Through Heads Up PH, Unilab Foundation aims to build a resilient and mentally healthy citizenry. The program’s reach and impact have not gone unrecognized; it was awarded the 2023 Galing Pook Award and the 2024 CSR Guild Award for Best CSR in Health. Beyond recognition, the program aspires to equip schools with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to foster communities where mental well-being is prioritized. By empowering schools and communities to address mental health proactively, Unilab Foundation is helping to build a future where every Filipino youth can thrive.
