The Unspoken Toll: Why Filipino Men Are Paying the Price for Silence

In many parts of the world, masculinity is a heavy burden to bear. In the Philippines, this burden takes a devastating toll: men make up 80 percent of those who take their own lives. What’s driving this trend? And why are Filipino men so reluctant to seek help?

Richardson Mojica, a university professor and mental health advocate, knows firsthand the weight of silence surrounding mental illness among men. He has lived with anxiety disorders and depression for over two decades, navigating the treacherous waters of stigma and shame to get treatment.

Mojica’s story is not unique. In a society where emotional expression is seen as a sign of weakness, many Filipino men internalize their pain behind a mask of masculinity. They often experience passive suicidal ideation – a state where they don’t want to live but feel too ashamed or embarrassed to act on it.

The Philippines’ cultural heritage contributes to this pressure to conform. Traditional values emphasize respect for elders and authority figures, making it difficult for young men to express vulnerability or seek help without feeling like a burden to their families. The stigma surrounding mental illness is further exacerbated by the country’s Catholicism and machismo, where emotional expression is seen as unmanly.

The consequences of this silence are dire. According to Mojica, seeking help often requires confronting not just one’s own demons but also those of one’s loved ones. “I’m the eldest son, so it wasn’t easy for me to be vulnerable in front of them,” he recalled, recalling the difficulty of opening up to his family about his struggles.

The Philippines has a relatively well-developed healthcare system, but when it comes to addressing mental illness, there’s still much work to be done. Mental health professionals are scarce, and those who exist often struggle with limited resources and inadequate training.

Filipino men are dying at an alarming rate due to untreated or undertreated mental illness. It’s time for change – not just in terms of policy or infrastructure but also in how we approach masculinity and emotional expression as a society.

Advocates like Mojica are working tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of seeking help, but they face an uphill battle against entrenched social norms and cultural expectations. If we’re serious about reducing the number of Filipino men who die by their own hand, we need to start having a more nuanced conversation about what it means to be strong – not just physically but also emotionally.

The silence surrounding mental illness among Filipino men is a reflection of the country’s broader cultural obsession with shame. From Manila to Mindanao, shame and secrecy are deeply ingrained in the Philippine psyche. But this cultural baggage has real-world consequences: when men feel ashamed or embarrassed about seeking help, they’re less likely to do so – even when it could save their lives.

This is a tragedy not just for individuals but also for families and communities who are left to grapple with the aftermath of untreated mental illness. To break down these barriers, we need to have more open conversations about mental health in our homes, schools, and workplaces. We must challenge traditional notions of masculinity that emphasize silence and stoicism over emotional expression and vulnerability.

We also need to invest in better infrastructure for mental healthcare – from training more therapists and psychiatrists to providing accessible and affordable treatment options for those who need them most. Ultimately, the key to change lies with individuals like Richardson Mojica, who are willing to break down the barriers of stigma and shame that surround mental illness.

By sharing their stories and advocating for greater awareness, they’re helping to pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate society – one where men can seek help without fear of being seen as weak. As we move forward on this complex issue, it’s essential that we approach the problem with sensitivity, nuance, and humility.

We need to listen to stories like Mojica’s and amplify the voices of those who are working tirelessly to change the narrative around mental health in the Philippines. It won’t be easy – but then again, that’s precisely why it’s so necessary. When we talk about addressing mental illness among Filipino men, we’re not just talking about a public health issue; we’re also talking about a fundamental shift in how we approach masculinity and emotional expression as a society.

And if there’s one thing Richardson Mojica’s story teaches us, it’s that the road to recovery starts with courage – not just on the part of individuals but also on the part of our collective culture.