Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: a systematic review
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REVIEW
Filipino help‑seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers and facilitators: a systematic review Andrea B. Martinez1,2 · Melissa Co3 · Jennifer Lau2 · June S. L. Brown2 Received: 3 January 2020 / Accepted: 7 August 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Purpose This systematic review aims to synthesise the evidence on behavioural and attitudinal patterns as well as barriers and enablers in Filipino formal help-seeking. Methods Using PRISMA framework, 15 studies conducted in 7 countries on Filipino help-seeking were appraised through narrative synthesis. Results Filipinos across the world have general reluctance and unfavourable attitude towards formal help-seeking despite high rates of psychological distress. They prefer seeking help from close family and friends. Barriers cited by Filipinos living in the Philippines include financial constraints and inaccessibility of services, whereas overseas Filipinos were hampered by immigration status, lack of health insurance, language difficulty, experience of discrimination and lack of acculturation to host culture. Both groups were hindered by self and social stigma attached to mental disorder, and by concern for loss of face, sense of shame, and adherence to Asian values of conformity to norms where mental illness is considered unacceptable. Filipinos are also prevented from seeking help by their sense of resilience and self-reliance, but this is explored only in qualitative studies. They utilize special mental health care only as the last resort or when problems become severe. Other prominent facilitators include perception of distress, influence of social support, financial capacity and previous positive experience in formal help. Conclusion We confirmed the low utilization of mental health services among Filipinos regardless of their locations, with mental health stigma as primary barrier, while resilience and self-reliance as coping strategies were cited in qualitative studies. Social support and problem severity were cited as prominent facilitators. Keywords Help-seeking · Mental health service use · Barriers and facilitators · Mental health · Filipinos · Philippines
Introduction Mental illness is the third most common disability in the Philippines. Around 6 million Filipinos are estimated to live with depression and/or anxiety, making the Philippines the * Andrea B. Martinez [email protected]; [email protected] 1
Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
2
Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, England
3
Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, England
country with the third highest rate of mental health problems in the Western Pacific Region [1]. Suicide rates are pegged at 3.2 per 100,000 population with numbers possibly higher due to underreporting or misclassificati
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