Gabriela Women’s Party has denounced Senator Robin Padilla’s statement labeling today’s youth as “mahihina” for openly discussing depression and mental health struggles.
Rep. Sarah Elago, speaking for Gabriela, warned that such remarks perpetuate stigma and undermine efforts to address a pressing public health issue.
“Ang depresyon at iba pang suliranin sa kalusugan ay hindi imbento ng bagong henerasyon. Matagal na itong umiiral, ngunit noon ay nababalot lamang ng katahimikan, stigma, at kakulangan ng kaalaman,” Elago said. “Hindi kahinaan ang pag-amin sa mental health problems. Sa katunayan, tanda ito ng tapang—ang tapang na kilalanin, unawain, at harapin ang sariling pinagdaraanan.”
Elago stressed that leaders should focus on the real burdens facing young people: an education crisis, unemployment, poverty, rising prices, and the unchecked spread of misinformation and online abuse.
“Kung tunay nating layon ang kaligtasan ng kabataan sa social media, ang sagot ay hindi simpleng pagbabawal o paninisi. Kailangan ng komprehensibong polisiya—digital literacy, pananagutan ng malalaking tech companies, libre at sapat na mental health services sa mga paaralan at komunidad, at pagpapalakas ng child protection mechanisms,” she added.
Gabriela underscored that lawmakers have a duty to listen to the youth rather than silence them.
“Ang isang lipunang may malasakit ay hindi nagtatanong kung bakit nagsasalita ang kabataan tungkol sa depresyon; tinatanong nito kung paano sila higit na masusuportahan,” Elago stressed.
This sharp rebuke highlights growing tensions over how policymakers frame mental health in public discourse, with advocates pushing for empathy and systemic solutions instead of dismissive rhetoric. (ZIA LUNA)
