Mental Health Advocates in the Philippines to Follow

(SPOT.ph) Social media has always been a double-edged sword. For all the wonders it brings and the connections it fosters, there’s no denying the digital space can be rife with negativity and hate. Still, there are pockets of light on your little black screen, and they’re worth following as a way to brighten your feeds with encouraging yet realistic content that not only comforts, but also educates. These mental health advocates are putting in the work to create safe spaces online where you can rest easy, and possibly be led in the right direction if you’re in need of further guidance or help.

Also read: We Tried Calling Mental Health Hotlines in the Philippines—This Is What Happened

These mental health advocates in the Philippines are worth following:

Jo Sebastian

Food is vital to our survival as humans, but with the media greatly affecting our relationship with what we eat, it can get difficult to take a bite. Licensed nutritionist Jo Sebastian knows how numbers on a scale can destroy how we perceive food, and she’s been on a journey to get people to shift their perspectives on eating, one plate at a time. From debunking weight loss myths and fad diets to sharing filling recipes and offering a uniquely Filipino perspective to mental health, Sebastian wields her knowledge to help people take care of their health better. She says it best herself: You always deserve to eat.

Jusdani

Sharp, real, and straightforward, Jusdani on X, formerly Twitter, is a split between hit tweets and actual discourse that raises on various mental health concerns. She’s spoken countless times on how social media affects mental health in front of audiences both in-person and virtual, with one of her latest talks tackling how journaling has aided in her personal growth. The intersection of mental health, media, and social media is present in her account, and you’re sure to find valuable insights on how the Philippines is approaching mental health.

Janina Vela

You might know Janina Vela for her vlogs on YouTube, but the social media influencer is also pretty open about her trials and tribulations, which she shares in tidbits on her Instagram account. Her more spiritual approach might not be for everyone, but her musings on emotions and changes are raw, relatable, and reassuring all the same. Think of it as exchanging feelings with a bestie and feeling less alone.

Yourmillennialpsychologist

When it comes to understanding psychological terms, there’s no better resource than Yourmillennialpsychologist on Instagram. Riyan Portuguez, the brain behind the account, is a licensed psychologist committed to breaking down complex concepts in short videos and simple visual aids you can digest easily. Apart from mental health problems stemming from personal concerns and workplace issues, Portuguez is also an advocate of LGBTQ rights and provides a unique understanding of how identity, acceptance, and mental health are related.

Sikodiwa

If you really want to get into the nitty-gritty of psychology through a distinctly Filipino lens, look no further than Sikodiwa on Instagram. Psychologist Carl Lorenz Cervantes is also a researcher and lecturer, so you can expect an academic approach to psychological concepts that tie back to Filipino history and culture. And by academic, we don’t mean boring—he talks about the roots of Filipino ideas and concepts that will make you say “Oo nga no” through videos, photos, and posts that are simple but far from simplistic. He even has readings and references on Philippine folk psychology and indigenized spirituality if you want to do some studying in your own time.

Dermomtology

True beauty lies within, but to say that our skin doesn’t affect how we perceive ourselves would be naive. So many factors affect the health of not just the skin on our face, but over our whole body, too, and it’s unfair to impose one skin standard when everyone is so different. Dermomtology gets it. The Instagram account mostly peddles information on skincare and clearing up marketing tactics, but it also creates an environment where people can seek help for their medical skin concerns and come as they are. Dr. Mara Therese P. Evangelista-Huber doesn’t shy away from topics like cellulite and weight fluctuations, and reminds us that we are more than just the flawless and light skin we’ve been conditioned to covet.

Rica Cruz

Sex is great, full stop. Until…it isn’t. It’s about time we start talking about why sex doesn’t work out the way we want to, and how our mental state and well-being can greatly affect how our body reacts and feels. Prude is a great sex therapy app to have at your fingertips, but you’ll find that founder Dr. Rica Cruz’s Instagram is also a goldmine for clarity, and she unapologetically discusses every minute issue you might encounter in the bedroom. While sex may appear mostly physical, you and your partner's mental health can also elevate you to greater heights in bed or throw a wet blanket over your fire—it’s just a matter of learning about yourself. Free the mind, and the body will follow.

Also read: Here's What It's Like Inside the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong