COVID-19-Related Mental Health Challenges and Opportunities Perceived by Mental Health Providers in the Philippines

Authors

Vincenzo Bollettino, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Cheryl Yunn Shee Foo, Columbia University
Hannah Stoddard, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Mark Daza, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Antonio C. Sison, University of the Philippines Manila
Mendiola Teng-Calleja, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Patrick Vinck, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2023

Abstract

This paper outlines the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by 145 licensed mental health providers in the Philippines in an online survey. Respondents perceived an increase in observed mental health disorders in their beneficiaries and an overall decrease in stigma associated with receiving mental health care services during the pandemic. Respondents further identified specific stigma-related help-seeking barriers during the pandemic. Positive impacts of telehealth and importance of increased public education of mental health were highlighted, with implications for improving the landscape of mental health care for Philippines post-pandemic.

Recommended Citation

Bollettino, V., Foo, C. Y. S., Stoddard, H., Daza, M., Sison, A. C., Teng-Calleja, M., & Vinck, P. (2023). COVID-19-related mental health challenges and opportunities perceived by mental health providers in the Philippines. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 84, 103578. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103578