Kuya Kim Is Now a Certified Mental Wellness Facilitator
Six months after Emman’s passing, continuing a conversation she helped start.
Published on Apr 28, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Kim Atienza is used to being approached by people. That comes with the territory when you’ve spent years on television as Kuya Kim. Lately, though, some of those reaching out weren’t asking about trivia or the weather, but about serious mental health concerns—including suicidal thoughts.
That was part of what pushed the TV host to take formal training. In an Instagram story posted on April 26, Atienza shared that he is now a certified mental wellness facilitator after completing a Mental Health First Aid workshop. The eight-hour training was conducted by DMR Psychological Services, focusing on how to respond to people experiencing psychological distress.
Before anything gets lost in translation: this doesn’t make him a therapist or a doctor. What the certification actually means is he’s trained to recognize signs of mental health struggles, offer initial support, and guide people toward professional help.
Also read: First Aid for Mental Health: This Workshop Teaches You What to Do When Someone Isn’t Okay
A way of remembering Emman
The accomplishment comes six months after a very public and personal loss for Atienza. His youngest daughter, Emman, died in 2025 at age 19. She has always been open about her own mental health—an advocacy Kuya Kim has since taken on more publicly, not just by talking about the issue, but by responding to people who have reached out to him for help.
It has become his way of honoring Emman's legacy.
"Na-experience ko kay Emman, naging very sensitive ako sa mga posts ng mga tao kasi hindi mo alam what they're going through,” Atienza told GMA News. “I just want them to know there’s someone who listens.”
Last March, Atienza responded to a Threads user who was urgently looking for a psychiatrist. She wrote, "Anyone na psychiatrist po? need ko po consultation now kahit online. please." Kuya Kim responded: "I DM'd you. Tight hug."
Screenshots of their private conversation shared by the user show Atienza asking her to keep him updated once she had secured an appointment.
“Tell me if you have an appointment na ha? Mga 8 sessions yan. Ako na bahala. I hear you and I feel you. I know it’s hard.”
Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself on a pole or doting on her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.