NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
'Nandito Si Kuya': Bong Go Pushes For Urgent Mental Health Reforms As Young Filipinos Struggle
Photo credit: Bong Go
Senator Christopher Go is ringing the alarm bells—and he’s doing it for the country’s youth.
Following the release of the 2024 Mental State of the World Report, which showed a steep drop in the Philippines’ mental health quotient (MHQ) from 78.44 in 2023 to 68.76 this year, Go said it’s time for urgent action.
“Marami sa ating kabataan ang hindi nagsasalita pero ramdam na ramdam ang bigat sa loob,” Go said, emphasizing that mental health challenges among the youth have become a “quiet emergency” that can no longer be ignored.
Although the country’s MHQ score is still better than the global average of 62.84, the sharp decline tells a troubling story—especially for young adults aged 18 to 24. Their MHQ has dropped to a concerning 24.9, landing them just a step above the “struggling” category.
That’s why Go is pushing for the approval of Senate Bill No. 2598, which proposes the creation of Mental Health Offices in all public higher education institutions. These offices would offer free counseling and psychological services, staffed by trained professionals, and run 24/7 mental health hotlines for students who might need help at any time.
“Kapag sinabing ‘mental health,’ hindi ito tungkol sa kahinaan,” Go stressed. “Ang kailangan lang nila, maramdaman na may nagmamalasakit at handang umalalay.”
Go’s message isn’t just political—it’s deeply personal. In an advocacy video posted online, he speaks directly to students, saying, “Huwag kang mag-alala. Hindi ako nandito para makipagtalo. Nandito lang si Kuya.”
It’s a simple, heartfelt reminder: students aren’t alone.
According to the Global Mind Project, which surveyed over a million people across 82 countries, younger generations around the world are facing a major mental health crisis, despite growing up with more access to education, technology, and information. Factors like smartphone addiction, social isolation, unhealthy diets, and environmental pressures are taking their toll.
In the Philippines, the generational gap is striking. Older Filipinos aged 55 to 64 scored a strong 110.6 in the mental health index—those 65 to 74 scored even higher at 115.5—while young adults continue to struggle deeply.
“Napansin natin, habang tumatanda ang mga Pilipino, mas buo ang pag-iisip. Pero sa kabataan, tila sila ang kailangan mabigyan ng pansin pagdating sa mental health,” Go pointed out. “Hindi pwedeng balewalain ito.”
If passed, Go’s Mental Health Offices won’t just focus on therapy—they’ll work to educate and break the stigma around seeking help, making mental health support a regular part of campus life. Early intervention and suicide prevention are at the heart of the plan, aiming to catch issues before they escalate.
This move is in line with Go’s broader efforts to strengthen mental health services across the country. He helped push for laws like the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act and the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which aims to establish mental health centers across DOH regional hospitals.
On top of that, thanks to Go’s persistent advocacy, mental health care will soon be part of PhilHealth’s benefit packages, making psychological services more accessible, especially for poor and marginalized Filipinos.
“Para sa akin, hindi dapat mahirap ang humingi ng tulong,” Go said. “Lalo na ‘pag utak at kalusugan na ang pinag-uusapan.”
With mental health challenges quietly but steadily rising, Senator Go’s message couldn’t be clearer:
No one should have to face their battles alone. Nandito lang si Kuya.
Following the release of the 2024 Mental State of the World Report, which showed a steep drop in the Philippines’ mental health quotient (MHQ) from 78.44 in 2023 to 68.76 this year, Go said it’s time for urgent action.
“Marami sa ating kabataan ang hindi nagsasalita pero ramdam na ramdam ang bigat sa loob,” Go said, emphasizing that mental health challenges among the youth have become a “quiet emergency” that can no longer be ignored.
Although the country’s MHQ score is still better than the global average of 62.84, the sharp decline tells a troubling story—especially for young adults aged 18 to 24. Their MHQ has dropped to a concerning 24.9, landing them just a step above the “struggling” category.
That’s why Go is pushing for the approval of Senate Bill No. 2598, which proposes the creation of Mental Health Offices in all public higher education institutions. These offices would offer free counseling and psychological services, staffed by trained professionals, and run 24/7 mental health hotlines for students who might need help at any time.
“Kapag sinabing ‘mental health,’ hindi ito tungkol sa kahinaan,” Go stressed. “Ang kailangan lang nila, maramdaman na may nagmamalasakit at handang umalalay.”
Go’s message isn’t just political—it’s deeply personal. In an advocacy video posted online, he speaks directly to students, saying, “Huwag kang mag-alala. Hindi ako nandito para makipagtalo. Nandito lang si Kuya.”
It’s a simple, heartfelt reminder: students aren’t alone.
According to the Global Mind Project, which surveyed over a million people across 82 countries, younger generations around the world are facing a major mental health crisis, despite growing up with more access to education, technology, and information. Factors like smartphone addiction, social isolation, unhealthy diets, and environmental pressures are taking their toll.
In the Philippines, the generational gap is striking. Older Filipinos aged 55 to 64 scored a strong 110.6 in the mental health index—those 65 to 74 scored even higher at 115.5—while young adults continue to struggle deeply.
“Napansin natin, habang tumatanda ang mga Pilipino, mas buo ang pag-iisip. Pero sa kabataan, tila sila ang kailangan mabigyan ng pansin pagdating sa mental health,” Go pointed out. “Hindi pwedeng balewalain ito.”
If passed, Go’s Mental Health Offices won’t just focus on therapy—they’ll work to educate and break the stigma around seeking help, making mental health support a regular part of campus life. Early intervention and suicide prevention are at the heart of the plan, aiming to catch issues before they escalate.
This move is in line with Go’s broader efforts to strengthen mental health services across the country. He helped push for laws like the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act and the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which aims to establish mental health centers across DOH regional hospitals.
On top of that, thanks to Go’s persistent advocacy, mental health care will soon be part of PhilHealth’s benefit packages, making psychological services more accessible, especially for poor and marginalized Filipinos.
“Para sa akin, hindi dapat mahirap ang humingi ng tulong,” Go said. “Lalo na ‘pag utak at kalusugan na ang pinag-uusapan.”
With mental health challenges quietly but steadily rising, Senator Go’s message couldn’t be clearer:
No one should have to face their battles alone. Nandito lang si Kuya.
Apr 29, 2025
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