Why asking about ‘Nanay’ matters this Women’s Month

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This Women’s Month, I find it timely to be part of a collaboration with the Unilab Foundation and its mental health pillar, Heads Up PH, through the video podcast “How Are You, Nanay?” -- a platform that puts a spotlight on a question we don’t often ask enough.

There is now enough data to tell us that mental health concerns, especially among young Filipinos, are steadily rising. Schools are seeing more students struggle with emotional and behavioral challenges, while crisis hotlines report a sharp increase in calls related to distress and suicide ideation.

At the same time, access to professional help remains limited. The country continues to face a shortage of mental health specialists, making it difficult for many families to get timely and appropriate care.

In response, organizations like the Unilab Foundation Inc. have been working to build systems that address these gaps. From screening tools used in schools, to referral programs developed in partnership with institutions like the National Center for Mental Health. These are important steps forward, but they also point to a simple reality that support cannot come from institutions alone.

Bringing the conversation home

One of the more practical insights emerging from recent initiatives is that mental health is not only shaped in schools or clinics -- it is shaped at home. And at the center of most Filipino homes is the mother.

We often refer to her as the ilaw ng tahanan, but that phrase sometimes overlooks the demands placed on her. Mothers are expected to manage, support, and hold things together, often without the same level of support for themselves.

The “How Are You, Nanay?” vodcast takes a straightforward approach: start with the mother.

It creates a space where everyday concerns--mom guilt, parenting pressures, digital habits, even difficult conversations with children--can be discussed in a way that is easy to understand and grounded in real experiences. The goal is not to overwhelm, but to make mental health more approachable and part of everyday conversation.

What makes this initiative more meaningful is that it complements a broader framework already in place.

Under Heads Up PH, there are programs that train school personnel to identify at-risk students, tools that screen learners early, and systems that connect them to professional care. These efforts are designed to ensure that once a concern is identified, there is a clear path toward support.

The vodcast fits into this by strengthening the role of the family, particularly mothers, in that same process.

Because while schools can detect and refer, families are where daily support happens.

A timely focus for Women’s Month

Women’s Month often highlights achievement, leadership, and empowerment. These are important. But there is also value in recognizing the everyday role women play in shaping the well-being of their families.

Supporting mothers in understanding mental health, managing their own challenges, and guiding their children through theirs is a practical form of empowerment, one that has long-term impact.

It also helps address a common barrier: hesitation. Many families still find it difficult to talk about mental health or to seek help early. Making these conversations more familiar and less intimidating is a step in the right direction.

At its core, “How Are You, Nanay?” is built around a question that is easy to ask, but often overlooked. It is a reminder that support begins with listening, and that taking care of those who care for others is part of building healthier families.

In the broader effort to address mental health in the country, initiatives like this may seem simple. But they are necessary -- meaningful change starts not with a large intervention, but with a conversation that finally happens at home.

As this conversation continues to grow, we invite everyone to check out our social media channels, engage, and be part of it.  This week, we will be rolling out “How Are You, Nanay?” with the Unilab Foundation and Heads Up PH--alongside other initiatives that aim to make mental health more accessible for Filipino families. These are conversations worth having, and more importantly, worth sustaining.

Follow my social media accounts JingCastaneda:  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Tiktok and Twitter.  Send your questions, suggestions and reactions to editorial@jingcastaneda.ph.