Stephanie Naval, who founded the Philippines-based mental health platform Empath, shares her thoughts on how to get the support you need
Another pandemic may be on its way—one associated with poorer mental health. Stephanie Naval, the founder of Philippine-based startup Empath and a 2022 Gen.T honouree, understands this more than most. Her organisation, which she describes as a “compassionate business”, connects people with mental healthcare providers who offer services such as psychotherapy and counselling.
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In recognising her own struggles with mental health, Naval is well aware of how difficult accessing care and destigmatising mental illness can be.
“I saw numerous barriers that limited the accessibility to health facilities and providers in the Philippines, including cultural beliefs, transportation issues, the lack of mental health literacy, inefficiency, inadequate technological capabilities, and of course, financial difficulties,” she says. “This led me to enter the mental health space and start Empath.”
Pre-pandemic, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders become some of the most prevalent mental health conditions in the Philippines. Research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) later noted an uptick in depression and anxiety, so much so that they have overtaken schizophrenia as the two of the most prevalent health concerns among Filipinos.
“One reason for this increasing number is the fact that a lot of Filipinos are under daily psychological distress,” Naval says. “Anxiety and depression perpetuate the existence of one another—the lower your mood gets, the more you become unsure of what can and cannot be done. Likewise, the more that you realise that your capacity for success has diminished, the more you lose motivation over the things you need to do.”
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It’s a cycle that can be difficult to break—and why mental healthcare providers such as Empath have become a necessity. The platform gives people access to licensed psychologists and psychiatrists, both of which can be a lifeline for someone who is struggling. But Naval admits that reaching out for help isn't always smooth sailing.
How to choose the right therapist
Finding a therapist who fits your needs requires some trial and error.
“There is a high risk for a mismatch between your condition and the expertise being offered by a credible mental health professional,” says Naval. “This could lead to increased frustration or worse, a withdrawal from obtaining help in the first place. Taking the first step through an intake session with a licensed psychometrician would be a big help to be able to process concerns more.”