About
Break Your Stigma is a digital platform dedicated to helping Filipinos gain access to a directory of mental health professionals we can connect with, and learn new ways to be kinder to ourselves and to one another.
When we fall and break our arm, we immediately ask for assistance because it hurts and we want to feel better. But when we struggle with internal pain, that is often invisible yet pervasive, many of us hesitate to ask for help.
If we define stigma as a mark of disgrace, we see this translated in the Filipino value of “hiya”. L.P. Alampay (2014) explains hiya as familial shame, wherein the expectation is to behave with propriety and dignity with respect to the self and the family.
Stigma profoundly changes how people feel about themselves and the way others perceive them. It leads to feelings of shame and creates barriers to diagnosis and treatment. The other side to stigma is disclosure. It’s the act of moving toward vulnerability and being seen by a trusted person (e.g., a partner, family member, friend, or therapist), despite being uncomfortable and afraid.
We believe that challenging the stigma associated with mental illness requires education and empathy. Here are some ways we can counter our stigmas together:
- Directory – a working database of psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health support groups
- Gatherings – a calendar of events, workshops, and conversations
- Stories – a collection of diverse perspectives of what it means to be human
Break Your Stigma is not an accredited medical organization. We do not provide any interventions, but seek to create a space where we can share information about medical practitioners who can. If you or a person you know is in crisis, these resources can provide immediate help.
Over the years, there has been a lot of progress when it comes to navigating mental health. We have learned to adapt our language, build communities that offer support, and pass laws that protect our rights. And yet even with all these wins, the stigma of mental illness is so persistent that most people do not feel safe to come out and ask for help.
Additionally, the people who muster the courage to seek treatment do not know where to go and who to reach out to. According to DOH, one in five Filipino adults suffers from a mental or psychiatric disorder, but there is less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos. Most end up suffering in silence.
Our goal at Break Your Stigma is to help break down some of these barriers- to give Filipinos access to a directory of professionals and other resources that empower them to take control of their own healing.
Break Your Stigma is powered by BYS Philippines. BYS stands for “Be Yourself” and its purpose is to encourage everyone to practice self-love and uncover one’s own beauty. This project is a natural extension of the brand’s initiatives to promote mental health and well-being in our country. BYS Philippines hopes that we can make talking about our mental health as normal and judgment-free as sharing about our skincare and makeup routines.
BYS Philippines collaborated with mental health experts and creatives to share tools and stories that are needed during these challenging times. Together, we can break our stigmas.
Meet our community of partners.
BYS Cosmetics
BYS Cosmetics was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2004. In the Philippines, BYS was launched in 2012 and is exclusively distributed by iFace, Inc.
BYS Philippines prides itself not only for delivering good quality, affordable, and cruelty-free beauty products, but also for taking the lead in developing skincare innovations for the global brand. The local team has also made huge strides in championing mental health, creativity, and individuality in its relevant collaborations and unique campaigns.
IFace, Inc.
IFace, Inc. was established in 2012 as a distributorship of multiple sought-after international beauty and wellness brands. It has an exclusive partnership with Watsons Philippines and has established itself as one of the most diverse, strategic, and best-performing partners, garnering awards and citations every year since its inception. IFace attributes its success to its more than 1000 well-trained Beauty Advisors, all employed by the company and enjoying full employee benefits. Its roster of endorsers and collaborators also includes some of the most recognizable local and international stars today.
Gisa Paredes, M.A. RPsy
Gisa is a licensed psychologist who created Healing Minds PH, to make mental health resources (found here) available to the Filipino. She is also the creator and founder of My Soul Brief-Case, a self-help therapy card deck, and the Chief Operating Officer of WellAtSea – a third party service provider for seafarers globally, aiming to safeguard their mental and physical health. Gisa believes that we all have a healer within, and has created resources that can encourage us to go inward.
MLAC
The Mindfulness, Love and Compassion Institute for Psychosocial Services Inc., led by Dr. Honey Carandang, aims to provide services for mental and emotional healing and wellness for children, adults, groups, and families as well as in-depth training for psychologists and other professionals in related fields.
Where To Next
Where To Next is a creative studio that tells stories that inspire others to lead meaningful lives. The team combines their love for writing and visual design to champion causes they believe in
WHAT
Break Your Stigma is a digital platform dedicated to helping Filipinos gain access to a directory of mental health professionals we can connect with, and learn new ways to be kinder to ourselves and to one another.
When we fall and break our arm, we immediately ask for assistance because it hurts and we want to feel better. But when we struggle with internal pain, that is often invisible yet pervasive, many of us hesitate to ask for help.
Stigma profoundly changes how people feel about themselves and the way others perceive them. It leads to feelings of shame and creates barriers to diagnosis and treatment. The other side to stigma is disclosure. It’s the act of moving toward vulnerability and being seen by a trusted person (e.g., a partner, family member, friend, or therapist), despite being uncomfortable and afraid.
We believe that challenging the stigma associated with mental illness requires education and empathy. Here are some ways we can counter our stigmas together:
- Directory – a working database of psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health support groups
- Gatherings – a calendar of events, workshops, and conversations
- Stories – a collection of diverse perspectives of what it means to be human
Break Your Stigma is not an accredited medical organization. We do not provide any interventions, but seek to create a space where we can share information about medical practitioners who can. If you or a person you know is in crisis, these resources can provide immediate help.
WHY
Over the years, there has been a lot of progress when it comes to navigating mental health. We have learned to adapt our language, build communities that offer support, and pass laws that protect our rights. And yet even with all these wins, the stigma of mental illness is so persistent that most people do not feel safe to come out and ask for help.
Additionally, the people who muster the courage to seek treatment do not know where to go and who to reach out to. According to DOH, one in five Filipino adults suffers from a mental or psychiatric disorder, but there is less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos. Most end up suffering in silence.
Our goal at Break Your Stigma is to help break down some of these barriers- to give Filipinos access to a directory of professionals and other resources that empower them to take control of their own healing.
WHO
Break Your Stigma is powered by BYS Philippines. BYS stands for “Be Yourself” and its purpose is to encourage everyone to practice self-love and uncover one’s own beauty. This project is a natural extension of the brand’s initiatives to promote mental health and well-being in our country. BYS Philippines hopes that we can make talking about our mental health as normal and judgment-free as sharing about our skincare and makeup routines.
BYS Philippines collaborated with mental health experts and creatives to share tools and stories that are needed during these challenging times. Together, we can break our stigmas.
Meet our community of partners.
BYS Cosmetics
BYS Cosmetics was founded in Melbourne, Australia in 2004. In the Philippines, BYS was launched in 2012 and is exclusively distributed by iFace, Inc.
BYS Philippines prides itself not only for delivering good quality, affordable, and cruelty-free beauty products, but also for taking the lead in developing skincare innovations for the global brand. The local team has also made huge strides in championing mental health, creativity, and individuality in its relevant collaborations and unique campaigns.
IFace, Inc.
IFace, Inc. was established in 2012 as a distributorship of multiple sought-after international beauty and wellness brands. It has an exclusive partnership with Watsons Philippines and has established itself as one of the most diverse, strategic, and best-performing partners, garnering awards and citations every year since its inception. IFace attributes its success to its more than 1000 well-trained Beauty Advisors, all employed by the company and enjoying full employee benefits. Its roster of endorsers and collaborators also includes some of the most recognizable local and international stars today.
Gisa Paredes, M.A. RPsy
Gisa is a licensed psychologist who created Healing Minds PH, to make mental health resources (found here) available to the Filipino. She is also the creator and founder of My Soul Brief-Case, a self-help therapy card deck, and the Chief Operating Officer of WellAtSea – a third party service provider for seafarers globally, aiming to safeguard their mental and physical health. Gisa believes that we all have a healer within, and has created resources that can encourage us to go inward.
MLAC
The Mindfulness, Love and Compassion Institute for Psychosocial Services Inc., led by Dr. Honey Carandang, aims to provide services for mental and emotional healing and wellness for children, adults, groups, and families as well as in-depth training for psychologists and other professionals in related fields.
Where To Next
Where To Next is a creative studio that tells stories that inspire others to lead meaningful lives. The team combines their love for writing and visual design to champion causes they believe in