The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) on Thursday urged young Filipinos facing mental health challenges to seek support through Mental Health Youth Hubs operating nationwide.

The call aligns with the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize youth well-being in national development.

Speaking during the DILG Kapihan, NYC Chairperson Joseph Francisco R. Ortega said many young people remain silent about their struggles due to fear of stigma.

“May mga kabataan na nagsa-suffer sa mental health sa mga barangay, minsan nahihiya silang pumunta sa mga barangay health units nila kasi kilala ang pamilya nila, natsi-tsismis sila,” he said.

Ortega encouraged those in need to reach out to the Commission.

“We encourage you, punta kayo sa amin, sa area offices ng NYC, contact us, then we’ll find a way to go to you to ensure you have somebody to talk to,” he added.

He explained that the Mental Health Youth Hub is not a single physical facility but a network of trained volunteers mobilized to provide counseling and support, particularly in communities with limited access to services.

The program is funded and institutionalized by the NYC to expand its reach, including to remote areas.

Ortega stressed that mental health issues affect all sectors of society.

“Ang mental health po ay hindi pinipili kung mayaman ka o mahirap… old or young. Everybody is going through mental health,” he said.

He added that the NYC is planning to launch the country’s first Anti-Bullying Summit in 2027, amid concerns over rising cases of youth and student suicides linked to bullying.