New Release by PAP LGBT SIG Sheds Light on Queer Mental Wellness

For many Filipinos who identify as queer, discussing mental health often comes from personal experience long before any formal research validates their stories. This makes the recent release from the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) LGBT Psychology Special Interest Group (LGBT SIG) particularly impactful. It provides concrete data, language, and actionable recommendations to address the silent struggles that have long been part of our community’s reality.

In a pioneering collaboration, the PAP LGBT SIG, known as the first officially recognized group of LGBT-affirmative psychologists and allied professionals in Southeast Asia, joined forces with The Trevor Project to conduct the 2024 Philippines National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. The findings are stark: 75% of LGBTQ+ youth in the Philippines have seriously contemplated suicide, with nearly half having attempted it. Yet, there’s also hope. The survey emphasizes the importance of accepting communities, supportive families, and affirming therapy, places where individuals can truly be themselves without fear of judgment.

For a long time, PAP has been a vocal opponent of treating LGBT+ identities as pathological and has criticized the misuse of psychology to perpetuate stigma and discrimination. Their stance on SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) clearly states that diverse sexualities and gender identities are not mental disorders. Instead, stigma is the real threat to mental health and community well-being. With this focus on queer mental wellness, the LGBT SIG aims to sharpen the understanding of what Filipino LGBTQ+ individuals need, whether in therapy rooms, schools, homes, or virtual spaces.

Connecting the Dots: Implications for Queer Mental Wellness

As both a counselor and a member of the community, I see three key takeaways from this renewed focus on queer mental health:

Firstly, you’re not being “too sensitive” or “dramatic” if you feel burdened by discrimination, family conflicts, or daily microaggressions. Research into minority stress reveals that ongoing exposure to stigma correlates with increased depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ individuals. However, it also indicates that social support and affirming care can mitigate these effects, encouraging resilience.

Secondly, seeking therapy is completely valid, and you deserve therapists who view your queerness as an integral part of who you are, not as something that needs fixing. According to the national survey, 77% of LGBTQ+ young people expressed a desire for therapy, yet only 15% have ever accessed it, often due to financial, structural, or safety barriers. The LGBT SIG is committed to addressing this gap by promoting continuous education, evidence-based training, and clear guidelines for genuinely LGBT-affirmative practices.

Lastly, this moment serves as an invitation, not just for psychologists, but for all of us. Every time we listen with empathy, challenge a harmful joke, share a helpful resource, or simply reassure a fellow queer individual, “Hindi ka nag-iisa” (You are not alone), we contribute to the mission of making queer mental wellness visible, achievable, and essential.