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A mental health group has joined in on the discussion involving an upcoming movie and its promotional poster.

The film titled, Tililing, courted controversy after some people found its poster offensive and insensitive to people living with mental health problems.

The poster shows its stars Baron Geisler, Gina Pareño, Chad Kinis, Donnalyn Bartolome, Candy Pangilinan, and Yumi Lacsamana, with their tongues sticking out and with exaggerated expressions.

Some people found the poster inappropriate and seemingly making a joke out of mental health.

In a Facebook post, the Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines made a mock-up poster of the film but this time featuring non-celebrities and with normal facial expressions.

“We can't judge the movie if we havent seen it yet. Let us just hope that it's done tastefully. The thing is, the poster is problematic,” the group wrote.

“You see media is a big part of social conditioning. When white, beautiful. The police, in the end, arrives. If gay, kikay. Even those who have mental health issues, they are suicidal or have split personality.

“Not all who will see the original poster will read, investigate or watch. That impression could be resonating in their brains for a long or lifetime.”

The group feels that the film's poster is only feeding the stereotype instead of helping to break it.

“How about the mental health community? We're already stigmatized, right? This poster doesn't look good. Not only in stereotyping, in the attached expression in the word tililing but also in the word tililing itself.”

The group's own take on the poster, according to them, shows the true face of mental illness.

“And the sad part is, not all those who have 'side′ or you will notice what you are going through. Some people are going through something, they are the ones laughing.

“They are the happiest among the gang, the breadwinner of the family, the boss of the company, the best in school.

“It's their turn, the problem has many faces. And we want to show other faces too - there are those who look happy, highly functional, productive but inside, there is darkness.”

In the end, the ADSP relays hope that the film's intention is “good” and that mental health experts were consulted by the team behind the movie.

“Kaisa po ninyo kami”

Director Darryl Yap, meanwhile, defended the film against critics particularly actress Liza Soberano who openly slammed the poster and its message.

“Ang iyong pag-asa na sana'y makapagbigay liwanag ang aming pelikula sa pagpapalawak ng kaalaman sa pangkalusugang pangkaisipan ay hindi masasayang, HINDI KA NAMIN BIBIGUIN,” Darryl wrote on Facebook.

“Ang aking mga artista sa pelikulang ito ay nagdaan sa mga pagsubok na nagpatatag din sa kanilang kalusugang pangkaisipan, sigurado kaming hindi nila tatanggapin ang isang proyektong ikapapahamak ng kanilang prinsipyo at pagkatao; Matatalino ang aking mga artista, at matapang ang kanilang direktor.”

He continued, “Kaisa po ninyo kami sa inyong adbokasiya. Maraming Salamat po.”

Actor Baron Geisler also spoke up in defense of the movie while stressing that he himself continues to struggle with mental health.

"'Di siguro alam ng mga tao na I was once a PMHA (Philippine Mental Health Association) Cebu warrior,” he wrote.

“I still battle with the sickness everyday and it's no joke to wake up and fight for your life EVERY SINGLE DAY.

“Funny because on Feb 14 me and my wife Jamie Marie Geisler will be going to Davao for a radio tour on mental health. Weird or swak at sakto lalabas din ang #Tililing.”