Master List of Hotlines and Mental Health Resources in the 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) 804-HOPE (4673)

Globe: (0917) 558-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: 0927-6541629

Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc.

(02) 921-4958 / (02) 921-4959

Call between 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

Mood Harmony:

(Makati Medical Center Support Group for Mood Disorders)

(02) 844-2941

Living Free Foundation

(0917) 322-7807







Mental Health Support (PH) During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• On therapy sessions: if you have a regular therapist and are unable to schedule sessions in person because of the COVID-19 quarantine/lockdown, ask if they are willing to do video or voice calls, with the option to pay via wire transfer.

• On buying medication: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of electronic prescription or “e-reseta” amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.

• Frontliners and those seeking mental health support in the time of COVID-19: see posters below























Since May 2019 the NCMH Crisis Hotline has helped thousands of individuals who were in need of mental health assistance…. Posted by NCMH Crisis Hotline on Wednesday, May 20, 2020

When we #stayathome during the #COVID19 pandemic, we might feel caged in.So, what are you experiencing, really? Find… Posted by Tanglaw Mental Health on Thursday, March 26, 2020







[UPDATED 04/26/20]LET'S TALK ABOUT IT! 💻The Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. extends help through the "… Posted by Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020

LIST OF CENTERS OFFERING FREE ONLINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC*Note: This list is not an… Posted by Psychological Association of the Philippines on Tuesday, March 31, 2020

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.

Mental Health Care Facilities and

Rehabilitation Centers Outside Manila

Click here for Webbline’s list.

Click here for a map of locations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Free Psychiatric Consultation

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)

Better Help

Online Therapy

Talkspace

Ginger

Spring Health

Apps (Based in the PH)

Arooga Health

Betterhelp

Listen Here

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

(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

Boxless Society (Mental Health Support Group for Artists and Their Caregivers)

Buhay Movement

Children’s Mental Health Philippines

Coalescent Foundation

Cope UP (UP Diliman)

Crisis Line PH

Depression Support Group Philippines – DSGPHDepresione Y Mania : A Bipolar Artshow

DIWA Mental Health (UP College of Public Health)

Hey Hay PH

Hello, Mirai

HopePH

In Touch Community Services (Crisis Line)

Kalinga Mental Health

Kapit Pinas

Keep Going; Baguio

Knit Philippines

Light Your Way: A Mental Health Movement

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.

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

Sanggunian: Commission on Mental Health (Ateneo de Manila University)

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

Van Gogh is Bipolar

You Will Be Alright (by TJ Manotoc)

Your Local Mental Health Advocate

Your Millennial Psychologist

Youth For Mental Health Coalition

YOLO by Renzo Suntay

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.

If you’re currently feeling suicidal, please visit Metanoia.

Van Gogh Is Bipolar

Van Gogh Is Bipolar is a Quezon City-based café and mood-healing sanctuary that gives free counseling and therapy sessions, and an avenue for mental health advocates to share their art and passions. Open from 12nn to 12 midnight, Wednesdays to Mondays. Closed on Tuesdays. Walk-ins are welcome. For more info, visit VGIB on Facebook.

Peer-To-Peer Online Counseling Groups in the PH

Mental Health Support Group By Kylie Verzosa

Psychoeduc8 Philippines

Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines

Anxiety and Panic Attack Support Group, Philippines

Depression and Anxiety Care Group Philippines

Schizophrenia and Bipolar Philippines Support Group

Depression Support Group for Filipinos

Baguio Mental Health Support Group

Mental Health Philippines

Bipolar Haven Philippines

*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 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, how to help, and how to know if a person is indeed afflicted with clinical depression.

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 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. It took me years of volunteer work and research to compile all these resources.

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. For emergencies, the ERs of reputable hospitals are equipped to handle psychiatric cases.







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

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

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 can give you a diagnosis. 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):







