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Filipino mental health care

Asian American mental illness is a broad overview of a group of people and many Asian Americans are under this category without individualizing their cultures. Due to this, there are not many studies on the relationship between individual cultures and their struggles with mental health care services, as well as their mental health overall. Consequently, there is a lack of Filipino American representation on this topic. There are various amounts of mental illnesses that Filipinos are prone to have. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young Filipino women are more prone to think of committing suicide than most minorities. 13.6% of young Filipino women are diagnosed with depression compared to other young women minorities. Overall Filipinos are diagnosed with depression more than Caucasians and majority of America. Large amounts of social and political factors have influenced Filipino American behaviors and mental well-being. An example would be due to Spain and US colonizing the Philippines and modern day struggles of Filipino identity, Filipino mental health has been affected negatively and have caused depression [1]. Mother’s in Filipino families more likely to have acute depression [2].Although the colonization of the Philippines was in the past, the aftereffects of colonialism still influences various Filipino immigrants [3]. Compared to Asian Pacific Islanders, Filipinos were more likely to be diagnosed with Schizophrenia. While studies show that Asian Americans have more serious disorders and have prolonged stays at mental institutions than Caucasians [4].Asian Americans are known for not participating in mental health care services to their full potential. Filipino Americans are under that category. Due to negative social and economic factors, Filipino Americans are more likely to have mental illness compared to other Asian Americans [5]. There are many specific reasons why Filipinos do not take advantage of mental health services.

Cultural Reasons Cultural beliefs can deter Filipino’s from deciding to get treatment. In Filipino culture, it is important to show emotional strength. It is believed that due to negative feelings and personal character and no self-discipline a person may receive mental illness. Therefore, having a mental illness is disgraceful. It seen as something that brings a upon a negative impression of not only the individual, but their family. Asian American youth who have a close connection to their culture usually do not reach out for help from mental health services because they care about the shame that comes along with it. Filipino culture is very family oriented and they rely on family and friends for advice. Before deciding to receive treatment, many Filipinos discuss the issue with their families [6]. Filipino’s have a sense of collectivism and bahala na, which is the belief that situations that occur in life are inevitable. Cultural mistrust is big factor as well. Some Filipinos do not want Caucasian to give treatment because they are not able to trust them due to prior oppression of minorities. Some Immigrant Filipino families are not advocates for treatments such as counseling because they believe it would give a negative perspective on the family. Filipino parents do not want to be a stereotype. They do not want to demonstrate how minorities have a hard time and require assistance all the time [7].

Religous Reasons There are religious reasons why Filipinos may not take part in mental health services. Many Asians believe that people who have mental disorders are controlled by spiritual creatures. Many Filipinos have a strongly believe in religious treatments. They believe that strife is something that they cannot control and due to their beliefs, they tend to bear with pain or illness. Some Filipinos go to "albularyos” or in other words, faith healers, who use religious methods for treatments. Filipinos who do not decide to get treatment manage to gain a tolerance for mental illness with prayer and self-control [8].

Identity Reasons Mental Health Services lack Filipino employees who can identify with the Filipino patients [9]. Many students who are Asian Americans would prefer a mental health care worker that identifies with their ethnicity, can commute the same way that they can, have the same morals. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough psychologists or mental health service workers who are able to provide these benefits for them [10]. Filipinos determine who they want to be their mental health care provider. There is a notion that the providers who can understand, have courtesy, and are able to adapt to the requirements of the Filipino patients, are considered to be one of the Filipinos. Those people are called "hindi ibang tao". The mental health providers who do not have those characteristics are not considered as one of the Filipinos. Those people are called bang tao. If the provider is considered ibang tao, the Filipino patients usually have a hard time opening up to them [11].

Other Reasons These are the overarching reasons why Filipinos do not partake in health care. Some choose not to seek help until their disorders or illnesses become severe enough for medical attention. The expenses of mental health care are out of reach for most Filipino families. About 20% of Filipino’s have little health insurance [12]. Because of this, majority of the Filipino population, do not seek mental health services. Filipinos do not have the time to go to services because of their busy lifestyles. Due to work, school, and other priorities, they are not able to find the time to go to mental health services. Some do not know where to find mental health resources. Mental health resources may not be readily available or nearby. It may be hard for filipinos to find transporation to get to the services. They also may not know that mental health services exist and how to access them. Since some Filipinos believe that mental illness is due to past mishaps, they believe in the concept of karma. They believe that due to their wrongdoings and their ancestors’ wrongdoings that they are punished by receiving mental illness. Some Filipinos turn to substance abuse as a cure for mental illness [13]. Because of this, majority of the Filipino population, do not seek mental health services.


Immigration Immigration is one of the biggest factors for mental illness in Filipinos. It is also one of the biggest factors for Filipinos to not take part in mental health services. Many Filipino Americans were once immigrants or have family members who have immigrated [14]. Filipinos are one of the largest groups of immigrants amongst other Asian groups. About 1.66 million Filipinos are immigrants. [15]. Some Filipino immigrants do not apply for insurance aids such as Medicaid because they are worried that it would slim their chances of becoming citizens. Therefore, not applying for insurance aids. [16] Asian American immigrants are diagnosed with depression for various factors. Due to not understanding English or they are not able to take health exams but are unable to pass [17]. The Filipino American Community Epidemiological Study (FACES) created a study that found how various situations may cause mental illness in Filipino immigrants. When Filipinos worry about their employment, they tend to stress which can cause mental illness [18]. However, Females and males are affected differently from it. Studies have shown that males who do not know English well enough are more prone to mental illness than males who do know English. Females who were not born in the US were more likely to have disorders that are considered lifetime. Filipino males are more suspected to have disorders that cause them to depend on alcohol and drugs [19].

Filipino Youth Mental Health Mental health related issues that Filipino youth must deal with. Unfortunately, children do not get treated as often as they should. The way that the Filipino youth are raised is a big factor for the mental health for children and adolescents. Some of the parents of the youth have severe mental illness and are not receiving treatment, so it may be difficult to be a proper parent for their child. Also, little parenting experience affects how parents treat their children. High expectations of Filipino youth may also cause severe punishment if expectation is not reached. Not only are Filipino youth severely punished physically, they can be punished verbally. The verbal abuse creates a lack of confidence and a feeling of worthlessness for young adults and children. Youth do not always communicate problems such as mental illness to their Filipino parents because they are worried about what their parents would do once they tell them about the issue. Lack of parental attention can cause mental illness as well. Since the parents are working the children do not get to see their parents enough. Some feel unattached to their families because their parents are not around them as much as they could be. This can lead to Filipino youth can lead to a behavior change. It can cause them to get involved in criminal acts and other negative situations that are not healthy for their mental well-being [20].

Mental Health Care disparities prevention There are many ways to prevent mental health disparities in the Filipino community. Most of the ways to prevent the disparities should start during childhood. It is important to build a positive relationship with the parents and the children. In most cases, in order for children to get better, the parent needs to get better as well. Filipino parents should take part in systematically researched parenting programs. The parenting programs must integrate Filipino cultural understanding and general parent techniques. Parenting programs would allow for parents to become comfortable with talking about issues with their children. The leaders of the programs should emphasize the importance of family and how they can all can grow as family. Because Filipinos are highly religious, it would be beneficial to put mental health care services in church based facilities. Important church leaders such as priests should reach out to Filipinos and get them to partake in mental health services. This should help with the problem of not trusting white Americans. Parents should also receive mental health care as well as the children. Parent mental health care can help decrease mental health issues for the entire family. It is essential to help parent’s mentally wellbeing before their children first starts school. It is also essential to make sure that school that the child is enrolled in is understanding of Filipino culture and beneficial for their mental health [21]

  1. ^ David, E. J. R., & Nadal, K. L. (2013). The colonial context of filipino american immigrants’ psychological experiences. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 19(3), 298-309. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1037/a0032903
  2. ^ Javier, J. R., Supan, J., Lansang, A., Beyer, W., Kubicek, K., & Palinkas, L. A. (2014). Preventing filipino mental health disparities: Perspectives from adolescents, caregivers, providers, and advocates. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 5(4), 316-324.doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1037/a0036479
  3. ^ David, E. J. R., & Nadal, K. L. (2013). The colonial context of filipino american immigrants’ psychological experiences. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 19(3), 298-309.doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1037/a0032903
  4. ^ Sentell T., Unick G. J., Ahn H.J., Braun K. L., Jill Miyamura, and Shumway M. (2013).Illness Severity and Psychiatric Hospitalization Rates Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.Psychiatric Services. 64:11, 1095-1102 http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1176/appi.ps.201200408
  5. ^ Sentell T., Unick G. J., Ahn H.J., Braun K. L., Jill Miyamura, and Shumway M. (2013).Illness Severity and Psychiatric Hospitalization Rates Among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.Psychiatric Services. 64:11, 1095-1102 http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1176/appi.ps.201200408
  6. ^ Gaw, Albert M.D.(1993). Culture, Ethnicity, and Mental Illness. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.
  7. ^ Javier, J. R., Supan, J., Lansang, A., Beyer, W., Kubicek, K., & Palinkas, L. A. (2014). Preventing filipino mental health disparities: Perspectives from adolescents, caregivers, providers, and advocates. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 5(4), 316-324. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1037/a0036479
  8. ^ Gaw, Albert M.D.(1993). Culture, Ethnicity, and Mental Illness. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.
  9. ^ Gaw, Albert M.D.(1993). Culture, Ethnicity, and Mental Illness. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.
  10. ^ Sanchez F., M.D. and Albert Gaw, M.D. (2007) Mental Health Care of Filipino Americans Psychiatric Services 58:6, 810-815
  11. ^ Gaw, Albert M.D.(1993). Culture, Ethnicity, and Mental Illness. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.
  12. ^ Office of the Surgeon General (US); Center for Mental Health Services (US).;National Institute of Mental Health (US).2001.Mental Health Care for Asian Americans and Pacific. In Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity—A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. (107-126).Washington, D.C.:Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US)
  13. ^ Javier, J. R., Supan, J., Lansang, A., Beyer, W., Kubicek, K., & Palinkas, L. A. (2014). Preventing filipino mental health disparities: Perspectives from adolescents, caregivers, providers, and advocates. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 5(4), 316-324. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1037/a0036479
  14. ^ Kim HJ, Park E, Storr CL, Tran K, Juon HS (2015) Depression among Asian-American Adults in the Community: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 10(6): e0127760. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127760)
  15. ^ Tsai, J. H.-C. and Thompson, E. A. (2013), Impact of social discrimination, job concerns, and social support on filipino immigrant worker mental health and substance use. Am. J. Ind. Med., 56: 1082–1094. doi:10.1002/ajim.22223
  16. ^ Office of the Surgeon General (US); Center for Mental Health Services (US).;National Institute of Mental Health (US).2001.Mental Health Care for Asian Americans and Pacific. In Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity—A Supplement to Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. (107-126).Washington, D.C.:Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US).
  17. ^ Kim HJ, Park E, Storr CL, Tran K, Juon HS (2015) Depression among Asian-American Adults in the Community: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 10(6): e0127760. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127760
  18. ^ Tsai, J. H.-C. and Thompson, E. A. (2013), Impact of social discrimination, job concerns, and social support on filipino immigrant worker mental health and substance use. Am. J. Ind. Med., 56: 1082–1094. doi:10.1002/ajim.22223
  19. ^ Takeuchi, D. T., Nolan, Z., Hong, S., Chae, D. H., & al, e. (2007). Immigration-related factors and mental disorders among asian americans. American Journal of Public Health, 97(1), 84-90.
  20. ^ Javier, J. R., Supan, J., Lansang, A., Beyer, W., Kubicek, K., & Palinkas, L. A. (2014). Preventing filipino mental health disparities: Perspectives from adolescents, caregivers, providers, and advocates. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 5(4), 316-324. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1037/a0036479
  21. ^ Javier, J. R., Supan, J., Lansang, A., Beyer, W., Kubicek, K., & Palinkas, L. A. (2014). Preventing filipino mental health disparities: Perspectives from adolescents, caregivers, providers, and advocates. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 5(4), 316-324. doi:http://dx.doi.org.proxy.cc.uic.edu/10.1037/a0036479.
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