Persuasive Essay

“Change for the Future”
With the increasing advancements in our technology, along with the people who are well
engaged in social media, we became more aware of the importance of our mental health. Mental health
is the cornerstone of our physical, social, and spiritual well-being; there is no health without it. However,
no matter how obvious this fact is, this matter is still often ignored and misunderstood. To prove this
fact, according to research from Maravilla and Tan (2021) quoted from Martinez (2020), in the
Philippines, mental illness has become the third most frequent illness, with six million Filipinos suffering
from depression and anxiety. As a result, the country has the Western Pacific's third highest rate of
mental illnesses. With this in mind, as an educated individual, we should spread awareness about
mental health as part of our major concern to end the degenerating cycle that has been on for years.
The cultural concepts of Filipinos differ in almost every manner. One widespread myth is that
depression and anxiety do not exist, and that mental illnesses should be ashamed of. Tanaka et al.
(2018) discovered that this stigma is caused by public beliefs of mental diseases which is often scorned
by the society. However, as an educated individual, we should get rid of that stigma that mental illnesses
and issues are something to laugh at and a subject for criticism and laughter. Instead of shunning people
due to their mental issues, we should show our love and concern for them as a fellow human being. We
should start this practice in our generation and stop the cycle that has been on for several years and
generations now. The change starts within ourselves, so if we want to change the world, let us change
our minds first.
If mental health is a social issue in our country, then what is the root cause? Filipinos are
generally unsatisfied, not just because of dire economic conditions (unemployment, low wages, etc.),
but also because of pressures placed by high familial and cultural expectations. . According to Palaganas
et al. (2017), OFW's in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, 24 percent of
midwives, 29 percent of physicians, 51 percent of nurses, and 61 percent of physical therapists
preferred to work as health professionals. Their trips resulted in a shortage of health staff, lower health
service provision, poor quality health care provision, longer patient wait times, and increased overtime
work. Their decisions to relocate were mostly motivated by the increased number of work opportunities
and higher income available abroad, where they are treated with greater respect and get higher-quality
training, all of which add to their overall well-being.
Simply speaking, people who have mental health issues are just the by-product of this faulty
society that we Filipinos ourselves have poorly developed overtime. So, can we blame them? These
people we often insult because of their circumstances are the real victims of the society. Instead of
blaming them or putting them the pressure of instantly changing themselves just because of their issues,
we should try to understand them and help them relieve the pain they’ve been going through. Not to
mention, our society, the root of all evil should start to change slowly but surely. The old ways that are
mentally and emotionally damaging and depleting should also be altered. This won’t be possible without
the cooperation of everyone, if we’re troubled, would we want the future generation, our sons and
daughters, even our grandsons and granddaughters to experience the same struggle we faced? Changes
do not happen overnight, especially if the change we want is something that has long been embedded in
our society – a stigma if I may say, but hey, a subtle change is still a change. If we want to change the
world, we can start it now.
In conclusion, there is no health without mental health; it is the foundation of our physical,
social, and spiritual well-being. Although it may appear clear that a successful economy makes people
happy, the flipside of this assumption receives less attention. Perhaps we might look at how happy
people contribute to a flourishing economy. Furthering one's understanding of mental health is critical
since it has a significant influence on the economy, as economies appear to be strongly dependent on
the mental health of the population. As a result, good mental health is essential for economic growth.
Economic decline may increase the prevalence of mental illness due to risk factors such as social
isolation, low education, treatment costs, unemployment, and poverty. As a result of missed production
and restricted treatment choices, mental health concerns may cause a significant decline in economic
activity.
Reference:
Amor Tan Maravilla, N. M., & Toledo Tan, M. J. (2001, January 1). Philippine Mental Health Act: Just an Act? A Call To
Look Into the Bi-directionality Of Mental Health And Economy. Frontiers.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.706483/full.

Persuasive Essay

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Persuasive Essay

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“Change for the Future”

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