Mental Health Resources: Philippines
Free Counseling Hotlines in the Philippines
Crisis Line (My most recommended and trusted MH hotline):
Landline: (02) 893-7603
Globe Duo: 0917-8001123
Sun Double Unlimited: 0922-8938944
NCMH Crisis Hotline (National Center for Mental Health)
0917-899-USAP (8727)
989-USAP (8727)
24/7 confidential services:
Psychiatric emergencies, suicidal thoughts, depression, grief and loss, relationship issues, sexual abuse, domestic violence, gender identity and sexual orientation issues, school and career issues, issues of carers, and referral to other agencies that can provide specific mental health services in the PH
Hopeline (by Natasha Goulbourn Foundation)
Landline: (02) 8-804-HOPE (4673)
Globe: (0917) 558-HOPE (4673)
Smart: (0918) 873-HOPE (4673)
Globe and TM: 2919
Tawag Paglaum-Centro Bisaya:
(24/7 suicide, depression, and emotional crisis intervention hotline)
Smart/Sun: 0939-9375433 / 0939-9365433
Globe/TM: 0966-4679626
Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.
(02) 921-4958 / (02) 921-4959
Call between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
Bantay Kabataan Kausap Program (24/7 Kausap Hotlines)
0926-9316066
0955-7762388
0907-0064314
Mood Harmony:
(Makati Medical Center Support Group for Mood Disorders)
(02) 844-2941
Living Free Foundation
(0917) 322-7807
Looking For a Psychiatrist in the Philippines?
Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA)
(02) 635-9858
Click here to find PPA-affiliated doctors in your area.
Visit The Filipino Doctor to find psychiatrists and other specialists in your area.
Click here for MH advocate Inigo Sevilla’s crowdsourced directory
Click here to download a list of psychiatrists in CAR, Regions I-III and IVA, courtesy of Kylie Verzosa’s Mental Health Support Group.
*The standard rate for psychiatrists (private practice) in the Philippines is between ₱2,000 to ₱3,000 per hour. Mid-range is ₱1,500/hour, while public hospitals cost ₱1,000 and below. Scroll down for low-cost MH services.
Psychiatric Care Facilities
Click here for facilities accredited by the Department of Health.
Click here for MentalHealthPH’s list of hospitals and facilities.
Click here for Webbline’s list of mental health care facilities and rehabilitation centers outside Manila
Click here for a map of locations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Free Psychiatric Consultation
National Center For Mental Health
Free online psychiatric consultation sessions every Mon-Wed-Fri at 9am-3pm
Click here to register.
Philippine General Hospital
PGH Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Department 2/F, Ward 7
(02) 554-8400 loc. 2436 or 2440
(02) 554-88470, (02) 526-0150, and (02) 554-8469
*Note: The wait list is long, so please be patient.
Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
OPD Acute Psychiatric Unit
Sumulong Highway Sto. Nino, Marikina
Free basic (non-intensive) psychiatric services from 8-10 a.m. to 1-2 p.m.
Click here for more details.
Many private hospitals offer free OPD consultation (not just psychiatry, but other departments) for charity patients. Just ask the information desk about their charity program. For example, charity patients may apply for Makati Medical Center’s “green card” at the social services in Tower 3.
Looking For a Psychologist (Psychotherapy, Non-Medical) in the Philippines?
Click here for psychologists recommended by ADSP.
Click here for psychologists recommended by Psychology Matters Asia.
Click here for Healing Minds PH’s directory of psychologists.
Looking For An Online Therapist?
Seeing a therapist in person is still the best option, but I understand that some people are in areas with limited access to professional help. Please exercise caution when booking an online therapist.
Mindcare Club (Philippines)
My Golana (Philippines; first session is free)
Better Help
Online Therapy
Talkspace
Ginger
Spring Health
Dear Future Self
Apps (Based in the PH)
Arooga Health
Betterhelp
Listen Here
Mind You (by Liza Soberano, Nadine Lustre, and Yassi Pressman)
Mind Nation (For companies)
Recovery Hub Philippines
Apps (International)
Calm
Calm Harm
CBT Thought Diary
Cove
Depression CBT Self-Help
eMoods
Happify
Headspace
IMoodJournal
Luminosity Mind
Mindshift
Mood Fit
Mood Mission
Sanvello
Ten Percent Happier
Tide
What’s Up?
*An app is not a substitute for therapy and mental health professionals.
Free and Affordable Medication in the Philippines
MAP-MH (Medicines Access Program: Mental Health) gives free mental health medication in the Philippines. Call the pharmacy department of any government hospital (such as the National Center for Mental Health) and ask about the MAP-MH program. There’s a limited stock per month, so should there be any free medication available for you, the hospital will ask you to bring your PWD ID and Certificate of Indigency, plus other requirements. Kumonsulta sa inyong doctor kung paano makakuha ng libreng gamot (para sa mental health) galing sa social welfare.
For affordable medication, go to the pharmacy section of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Just bring your prescription. Medication is cheaper there. For example, something that would cost ₱100 per pill in Mercury Drug is only ₱25 in NCMH. The NCMH Pharmacy is open on weekdays until 5pm only.
PWD Card
If you have a diagnosed mental health condition such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, you are eligible to get a PWD Card in the Philippines. The card will give you discounts on medication, hospitalization, groceries, etc. Click here to find out how you can apply. If your carry a legitimate PWD card and an establishment tries to shame, belittle, or reject your mental health diagnosis (also called psychosocial disability), you may report them to PWD Philippines.
Low-Cost Mental Health Services in the Philippines
National Center For Mental Health (NCMH)
(02) 531-9001
₱100-₱400 for psych consultation
Click here for complete rates.
Click here for list of services.
NCMH in Mandaluyong accommodates walk-in OPD patients.
Philippine General Hospital
PGH Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Department 2/F, Ward 7
(02) 554-8400 loc. 2436 or 2440
(02) 554-88470, (02) 526-0150, and (02) 554-8469
Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.
No. 18 East Avenue, Quezon City 1100
(02) 921-4958 and (02) 921-4959
₱500-₱1,000 per consultation
UERM Department of Psychiatry
64 Aurora Blvd. Doña Imelda, Quezon City
(02) 715-0861 loc. 362
Amang Rodriguez Medical Center (DOH Hospital)
Sumulong Highway Sto. Nino, Marikina
(02) 941 5854
Quezon City General Hospital
Project 8, Quezon City
(02) 426-1314
Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center
Cebu City
Free medical consultation at the Behavioural Center (₱30 registration fee)
UST Hospital
Initial fee (any department, including psychiatry OPD): ₱200
Follow-ups: ₱100
*Registration and payment strictly up to 2 p.m. only. For mild to moderate cases, family medicine handles cases Mondays to Fridays. For more serious situations, patients will be refered to neurology and psychiatry department, which is open for adult psychiatry on Wednesday to Friday, 2 p.m. onwards.
Mental Health Groups in the Philippines
Alliance of Filipino Families for Mental Health, Inc.
Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines
Arooga Health
Baguio Mental Health Support Group
Be Healed Foundation
Bantay Kabataan Kausap Program
Boxless Society (Mental Health Support Group for Artists and Their Caregivers)
Buhay Movement
Children’s Mental Health Philippines
Coalescent Foundation
Crisis Line PH
Depression Support Group Philippines – DSGPHDepresione Y Mania : A Bipolar Artshow
Get Psyched PH (For Psychology Majors)
Hey Hay PH
HopePH
In Touch Community Services (Crisis Line)
Kalinga Mental Health
Kapit Pinas
Keep Going; Baguio
Knit Philippines
Luntian Philippines
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Philippines
Mental Health For Millennials
Mental Health Hour – Cagayan De Oro
Mental Health Hour – Cebu
Mental Health Hour – Manila
Mental Health Matters by Kylie Verzosa
Mental Health PH
Mental Health Warriors Philippines
Mental Illness and Addiction Recovery Support Philippines
Mindanao Youth For Mental Health
Mood Warriors and Phoenixes, Mood Disorders Advocacy Philippines
Natasha Goulbourn Foundation
No To Mental Health Stigma PH
PAP LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group
Paminow Movement
Philippine Mental Health Association – Cebu Chapter
Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.
PMHA Community-Based Mental Health Program
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc.
Psychoeduc8 Philippines
Psychological Association of the Philippines
PRISM
RPh For Mental Health (Philippine Pharmacists Association)
Safe and Sound For Mental Health
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Philippines Support Group
Silakbo
Social Anxiety Support Philippines
SOS Philippines (by Kate Alvarez)
Spring Philippines
Sprout: Speak Out, Reach Out (Youth For Mental Health Coalition)
Tala
Talang Dalisay
Tanglaw Mental Health (Quezon City)
TAYO; TAYO Project
The Julia Buencamino Project
Tibok
Unmask Movement
Your Local Mental Health Advocate
Youth For Mental Health Coalition
Mental Health Bloggers, Vloggers, Speakers, and Influencers in the Philippines
All About Psychology PH (Shirla Alcantara)
Ari Verzosa of Mental Health Matters by Kylie Verzosa
Hello, Mirai
Dr. Gia Sison
Kate Alvarez of SOS Philippines
Lordy Angelo Santos of Tito Mong Psychologist
Novie Duquilla, Clinical Psychologist and TikToker
Rainier Ladic of The Juan Psychologist
Risa Hontiveros, senator and one of the principal authors of the Philippine Mental Health Law
Rissa Coronel of Silakbo
Riyan Portuguez of Your Millennial Psychologist
Roy Dahil of MentalHealthPH
Sheila Guevara-Suntay of YOLO by Renzo Suntay
TJ Manotoc of You Will Be Alright
Celebrities: Nadine Lustre, Yassi Pressman, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Iza Calzado, Kylie Verzosa, Liza Soberano, Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino, and Meryll Soriano
Universities/Colleges
Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC or BeWell Center)
Breathe: UA&P Mental Health Awareness Campaign
Cope UP (UP Diliman)
DIWA Mental Health (UP College of Public Health)
Sanggunian: Commission on Mental Health (Ateneo de Manila University)
Thomasian Mental Health Responders
UST Kayugto
UST Psychology Society
SOS Philippines: Survivors of Suicide and Depression
I started SOS Philippines (Survivors of Suicide and Depression) in 2012 as an online support group for Filipino families who have lost loved ones to suicide and those undergoing mental health ailments such as clinical depression, general anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. In 2018, we closed the group and shifted focus. SOS Philippines is now a mental health resource page, where you’ll find updates on the mental health law, local MH events, helpful articles, low-cost services, and other MH resources.
If you’ve just lost someone to suicide, visit afsp.org/survivingsuicideloss. Download their free booklet for coping with suicide loss.
You may also reach out to the following:
The Mourning to Morning Ministry, a grief recovery support group under the Feast Alabang Family
The Julia Buencamino Project was founded by actors Nonie Buencamino and Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino after they lost their beloved daughter Julia to depression
YOLO by Renzo Suntay, an org started by Sheila Guevara-Suntay, who lost her beloved son Renzo to depression years ago
If you’re currently feeling suicidal, please visit Metanoia.
Peer-To-Peer Online Counseling Groups in the PH
Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines
Anxiety and Panic Attack Support Group, Philippines
Baguio Mental Health Support Group
Bipolar Haven Philippines
Depression and Anxiety Care Group Philippines
Depression Support Group for Filipinos
Mental Health Support Group By Kylie Verzosa
Mental Health Philippines
Psychoeduc8 Philippines
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Philippines Support Group
Yellow Space
Your Millennial Psychologist Community
*These peer-to-peer online support groups are comprised of fellow Filipinos undergoing mental health ailments such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and schizophrenia. They give advice based on personal experience, but they are not a 24-hour quick response or emergency crisis intervention team. Each group has its own set of rules. While it helps to reach out to other people for support, online groups should not replace a doctor and proper mental health treatment.
Spiritual Counseling
Center for Family Ministries (CEFAM):
(For psycho-spiritual counseling via appointment with psychologists or psychiatrists)
(02) 426-4289 to 92
700 Club Asia – Free Prayer Hotlines
(Confidential, no charges, and no condemnation)
Toll-free: 1-800-1-888-8700
Manila: 737-0700
Smart: (0949) 888-8001
Sun: (0925) 300-3000
CEFAM Spiritual-Pastoral Center
(via appointment)
Ateneo de Manila University Campus
Loyola Heights, Quezon City
(02) 426-4289 to 92
CEFAM Satellite Counseling Site
(CEFAM in cooperation with Don Bosco Parish; via appointment)
Don Bosco Parish
Arnaiz Avenue corner Amorsolo Street, Makati City
(02) 894-5932 or 34
Door of Hope Counseling Center
Amorsolo St. Corner Dela Rosa,
Makati
doorofhopecounseling@gmail.com
Light of Jesus Pastoral Care Center
60 Chicago St., Bgy. Pinagkaisahan, Cubao, Quezon City 1109
(02) 726-0267, 726-6728, and 726-4709
UGAT Foundation
Psychospiritual counseling in Ateneo
(02) 426-5992 and (02) 426-6001 loc. 4872 to 73
International Online Chat Networks
7 Cups of Tea
Better Help
iPrevail
The Mighty
Sibly
Depression Chat Rooms
Depression Sanctuary
I’m Alive
Lifeline Chat (USA)
The Hopeline International (Faith-based Christian support group)
International MH Groups
American Foundation For Suicide Prevention
Befrienders Worldwide
International Association For Suicide Prevention
National Alliance of Mental Illness (USA)
Project Semicolon
Suicide.org
The Mighty
To Write Love On Her Arms
Web Tribes: Find Your Tribe
About Me
My name is Kate Alvarez. I’ve been a mental health advocate since 2012. I founded SOS Philippines after losing a loved one to suicide. I’m a survivor of major depressive disorder (MDD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD). I collaborate with different mental health groups that I trust. Once in a while I appear in events as a guest speaker, but I make sure the MH projects I join include psychiatrists who can explain the medical aspect of mental health. While I respect all approaches to mental well-being, I’m partial towards the medical-based and therapeutic approach if you have a diagnosed illness.
With the help of psychiatrists and mental health workers, I write articles to educate my fellow Filipinos about mental health. The most common questions people ask me are what to do, where to go, and how to help.
To answer your frequently asked questions (FAQs), I published this master list of mental health resources in the Philippines. I will update this page regularly. Feel free to share this page, “Mental Health Resources: Philippines” and promote it in your MH events, but please credit me and SOS Philippines. Don’t just copy-paste and claim you did all the research. I’ve been working on this Philippine mental health database since 2012.
Inquirer: What’s one thing you’d like to tell someone who’s struggling with their #mentalhealth?
Me: When there seems to be no one left, you have yourself. And you are enough. #mentalhealthmonth #worldmentalhealthmonth #mentalhealthPH https://t.co/PDbkoLPygL
— Kate Was Here (@k8alvarez) October 3, 2021
My Articles About Mental Health
How to help a suicidal friend
10 fallacies about suicide
10 fallacies about depression
Are you clinically depressed?
What you need to know about depression
Worst things to say to someone with depression
5 videos that will help you understand depression
This Pinoy mental health video stars your favorite celebs
Is 13 Reasons Why dangerous or helpful?
Here’s why you have to support the Philippines’ first ever mental health act
Articles Where My MH Advocacy Was Featured
End the stigma—all feelings are valid! (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Octrober 3, 2021)
Reality Check: Nothing Is Real (Solenn Heussaf’s Blog, July 2018)
Kate Alvarez: Healing in Helping (Manila Bulletin, April 2018)
Making Sense of the Silence (Manila Bulletin, July 2017)
To My Fellow Journalists
Did you know that the way you write about suicide can either prevent or trigger another suicide? Somewhere out there, a high-risk clinically depressed person is online and reading YOUR article. Safe reporting saves lives. Click here to learn the guidelines for reporting about mental health responsibly.
Disclaimer
Please note that I AM NOT A PSYCHIATRIST, PSYCHOLOGIST, OR COUNSELOR. I cannot and do not give counseling sessions online. If you are in need of immediate medical or emotional help, please contact the hotlines mentioned on this page. Only a licensed psychiatrist and clinical psychologist can give you a diagnosis. Do not trust online quizzes, for crying out loud. Watch TikTok videos with a grain of salt because there’s an abundance of misinformation out there. For psychiatric emergencies, the ERs of reputable hospitals are equipped to handle psychiatric cases.
The resources on this page are for informational purposes only. Googling should never ever replace a real doctor. We shall not be held responsible for the content, claims, or representations of the listed resources, or any unfortunate incidents that may arise from interacting with the sites and groups mentioned in this page.
Research Studies: For Students
World Health Organization’s Report on Mental Health Systems in the Philippines (2007)
World Health Organization: Suicide Statistics in the PH (2011)
WHO: Suicide Prevention in the Philippines
Suicide in the Philippines: Time Trend Analysis and Literature Review (1974-2005)
Our World in Data: Mental Health (2018)
Suicide Prevention: Toolkit For Engaging Communities (WHO, 2018)
World Health Organization: Fact Sheets For Suicide Prevention
World Health Organization: General Info For Mental Disorders
Department of Health (DOH): Mental Health Archive
Increases in Depressive Symptoms, Suicide-Related Outcomes, and Suicide Rates Among U.S. Adolescents After 2010 and Links to Increased New Media Screen Time (2017)
*Dear students, I don’t do thesis paper interviews anymore. I get an overwhelming number of requests for thesis paper surveys and personal interviews every month. For my own mental well-being, I hope you understand my boundaries. You are free to use the resources in this page for your academic studies and MH events—with proper credit, of course. If you are looking to connect with other members of the mental health community, please refer to the list of groups above. -Kate
MH Statistics in the Philippines (Courtesy of ABS-CBN, 2017):
