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The family’s pillar needs someone to lean on, too, so the government is moving to follow up on a study pitching a strong telepsychiatry program for OFWs to support their mental health abroad. By John Eiron R. Francisco
VERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) shoulder the hidden tolls of migration, including cultural displacement, homesickness, exhausting work schedules, and the constant responsibility of supporting their families financially, pressures that can quietly sap mental resilience and affect performance. These stressors were among the key findings of a study funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) under its Health Research Policy Translation, Evaluation, and Engagement (POLISEE) Grants Program, which examined how mental health issues among OFWs can be detected and addressed. The research, titled “Development of Policy Instruments and Stakeholders Engagements for OFW-Inclusive and Sustainable Mental Health and Well-Being Protection,” was led by Dr. Veronica E. Ramirez, a full professor at the University of Asia and the Pacific Foundation Inc., together with Lamberto Francisco A. Ramirez, a research fellow on migration studies at the Center for Research and Communication. The study surveyed 989 OFWs across three migration stages—predeployment, employment, and return—with participants located in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Researchers noted higher reports of stress in areas where living or working conditions are particularly restrictive. In Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu, workers frequently sought treatment from local health offices but often returned with recurring issues. In Hong Kong, cramped high-rise living conditions and limited time outdoors were cited as significant stressors, especially for domestic workers. In Singapore, where many Filipinos are employed in professional and skilled jobs, stress levels differed from those of domestic workers who tend to face heavier workloads in other destinations. The study also observed heightened pressures among Filipino students in Australia who juggle academic requirements while
working part-time. In Europe, cases were notably higher in the United Kingdom, where Filipino workers often join already strained local health systems. Meanwhile, countries like Italy showed comparatively lower stress indicators due to cultural similarities that made adjustment easier. In the Middle East—including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait—stress levels varied but remained influenced by strict labor environments and limited mobility. Dr. Ramirez said during the Talakayang Health Research and Technology (HeaRT) Beat press conference in Quezon City on Thursday that many OFWs avoid seeking help due to fears of losing their jobs, lack of health insurance, and the social stigma that may affect their family’s reputation. “They do have coping mechanisms, guided by the principle of staying strong. They also tend to avoid burdening others with their problems,” she explained. She also noted that social media can negatively impact OFWs’ mental health, citing exposure to fake news and constant family communication as additional stressors. “It’s the help-seeking behavior that should be corrected,” Dr. Ramirez told BusinessMirror.
Global Pinoys now 10.8M
DATA from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) show that the global Filipino population has reached 10.8 million as of the second half of 2024. More than half, or around 5.4 million, reside in the Americas, with the United States hosting the largest concentration at 4.4 million. Canada follows with nearly one million, while Malaysia ranks next with about 950,000 Filipinos. Other major communities are located across Asia and the Pacific, home to
FROM left: Lamberto Francisco Ramirez, Research Fellow on Migration Studies, Center for Research and Communication; Dr. Veronica Ramirez, Associate Professor, University of Asia and the Pacific Foundation Inc.; Gregorio Candelario Jr., Head, Data Privacy and Telemedicine Office, Southern Philippines Medical Center; and Dr. Maria Angelica C. Plata, Research Faculty, Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat on Thursday, discussing the translation of research into mental health policies for OFWs. JOHN EIRON FRANCISCO
around 2.4 million Filipinos, and in the Middle East, which accounts for approximately 2.1 million. The DFA reported that permanent migrants make up 54.41 percent of all Filipinos overseas, while 34.59 percent are temporary workers. Around 11 percent are considered undocumented.
Sustainable telepsychiatry
UNDER the same funded program, Davao-based researcher Dr. Maria Angelica C. Plata of the Davao Medical School Foundation Inc. developed evidence-based policy and program recommendations to establish sustainable telepsychiatry services for OFWs. The study, ANDITO: Advocating National Discourse, Integrating Telepsychology and Policies and Programs for Overseas Filipinos, was conducted from October to December 2024. Despite the short implementation period, Dr. Plata said respondents reported high satisfaction and found the service useful, while pilot telepsychiatry programs
in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia also showed positive results. “We still continue to reach out to policy makers para maging government program na talaga siya, and hindi na siya in the context of research [We continue to reach out to policymakers so it can become a full government program, and not remain only within the context of research],” she said. Dr. Plata explained that the telepsychiatry program began as a research project in Kuwait in 2021, with limited on-site staff availability—sessions could only be held once or twice a week. Psychiatrists in the Philippines coordinated with the local staff to provide consultations. “Psychiatry requires extensive talking, so the pace and duration depend entirely on the patient,” she said. At the time, only one or two psychiatrists handled the cases, and the project remained strictly within a research context with a set timeframe. Dr. Plata added that scaling up the program would require more psychiatrists to meet the needs of a
larger number of OFWs seeking help. “Once institutionalized under the government, telepsychiatry could be made widely accessible, with multiple resource centers around the world serving Filipino workers,” she said. Globally, telepsychiatry is gaining traction. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 51 percent of countries offer telepsychiatry, while 77 percent provide telemedicine or remote patient monitoring. Telepsychiatry uses technology such as video calls, phone, and secure messaging to provide psychiatric evaluations, therapy, and medication management remotely. It allows psychiatrists to reach more patients and support other providers, making care for conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD more accessible and convenient.
Cross-agency mental health plan
The ANDITO study led to several policy recommendations for key government agencies. For the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW),
the researchers suggested integrating mental health education and resilience training into predeparture orientation seminars (PDOS) and requiring mental health screening before deployment. DMW resource centers abroad could be repurposed to include telepsychiatry stations, with trained staff and culturally sensitive care. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was urged to incorporate mental health in diplomatic work, including negotiating agreements for the procurement of psychotropic medications and ensuring continuity of care for OFWs upon repatriation. Coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) would be essential for implementing telepsychiatry referral systems, while PhilHealth could include online consultations and psychotropic medications in benefits packages. Gregorio Candelario Jr., head of the Data Privacy and Telemedicine Office at Southern Philippines Medical Center, explained Continued on A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 59.0970 n JAPAN 0.3799 n UK 79.1309 n HK 7.5943 n CHINA 8.3742 n SINGAPORE 45.7514 n AUSTRALIA 39.3704 n EU 69.3740 n KOREA 0.0402 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.7495 Source: BSP (December 12, 2025)