Amanda Page highlights importance of destigmatizing mental health: ‘They should take it seriously’

Amanda Page is among those who continue to advocate for better understanding and awareness of mental health, especially for Filipinos who may be experiencing symptoms without recognizing them.

On Friday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Amanda gave updates on where she is in life today after leaving showbiz, saying she feels lucky to be living normally and working outside the spotlight.

“I feel like I'm very fortunate right now in my life. I love where I'm at with my life. I love being just a normal person, having a normal life. I love going to work. I love going to gym. I love doing day-to-day things and having that anonymity. And also, I feel like the work that my husband and I do, it's very rewarding,” she said.

She helps run the clinic of her doctor husband, where they work with patients dealing with different levels of depression.

They also run another office offering non-invasive deep-brain stimulation for people with severe depression.

“If you're severely depressed and you don't qualify to be an inpatient at a hospital, we can treat your depression outside of the hospital where you don't have to go in and actually stay. You can have outpatient treatment,” she said.

She added that mental health cases remain constant, noting that they saw many patients during and after the pandemic.

“I think sa mental health, it's safe to say na marami talagang pasyente in total. Always,” she said.

Amanda also reflected on how mental health continues to be stigmatized in the Philippines, saying this contributes to why many people overlook early symptoms.

“They should take it seriously. I think it's because it's stigmatized in this country. And what I want to promote is the destigmatization of mental health,” she said.

“Because sometimes people think that they're only depressed when they're severely depressed. But a large part of the population is walking around maybe mildly depressed or somewhat depressed. But because they think they're functioning, they don't actually recognize that they have some sort of mild depression. Or anhedonia, which is a lack of finding joy in things that you used to enjoy.”

She added that advancements in psychiatry now provide more options for people seeking help.

“I appreciate the work we do because we can help people live their best lives,” Amanda said.

She was among the original hosts of GMA Network's variety show "SOP" alongside Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, and Vina Morales. Her works in the past include “Rizal in Dapitan” and “Ang Probinsyano.” She also starred in "Bubble Gang," "T.G.I.S." and more. 

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News