Not Just Stressed: Filipinos Are Carrying the Weight of Everything at Once

Mental health continues to decline globally, according to the latest Mind Health Report from AXA, a worldwide leader in insurance. Conducted in partnership with IPSOS, one of the world’s leading market research companies, the 2026 study also points to the growing use of artificial intelligence for mental health consultations and underscores the role companies play in supporting people’s well-being.

Global pattern, local intensity

Mental health continues to decline globally, with 10 of the 16 countries in the study posting their lowest mental health scores since the first survey wave in 2021. Nearly half (46%) of respondents say they are either struggling or languishing, reinforcing what researchers describe as a long-term trend fueled by mounting stressors that continue to erode psychological well-being.

In the Philippines, the number of people classified as struggling has seen slight improvement, but concerns remain. Around 31% of Filipinos are still considered languishing, amid ongoing worries about financial instability and rising social unrest. While there has been some progress, it remains fragile, particularly among younger Filipinos. As digital life becomes increasingly inescapable, 72% of Filipino youth report feelings of loneliness or sadness. For many, being online is no longer a choice but a constant presence—shaping conversations, identities, and daily experiences, while also creating a space where pressure rarely lets up.

 Filipino youth now spend an average of 7.5 hours a day on screens, and 98% say this negatively affects their daily lives. The impact is not abstract. It shows up in disrupted sleep, fractured attention, and emotional overstimulation that lingers even after the screen is turned off.


Beyond fatigue, many also reported elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and poor well-being, leading to more frequent sick leaves. This suggests that emotional strain is no longer confined to digital spaces but is increasingly affecting performance in school and at work, as well as day-to-day functioning.

A double-edged development

As emotional pressures continue to rise, more Filipinos are turning to AI for emotional guidance and everyday support. In fact, 29% regularly use AI tools to help manage their mental health—higher than the global average of 21%. This is especially common among Filipinos aged 18 to 34 and those who self-report having a mind health condition.

But while AI has become a go-to source of support, it isn't without risks. Around a third (33%) of Filipinos said they felt uneasy or concerned after receiving AI guidance, while 25% reported that AI recommendations had led them to harmful behavior.

The study also highlights a major gap between the Philippines and the rest of the world: cost remains the biggest barrier to accessing mental health support locally. Globally, lack of awareness is the more common challenge. The findings suggest that while many Filipinos recognize their mental health needs and are open to seeking help, affordability and accessibility continue to stand in the way.

This is where practical, everyday support can make a difference. AXA Philippines is expanding access to mind health solutions through initiatives such as the Mind Health Self-Check tool, which helps individuals assess and monitor their mental wellbeing. The company also offers health plans that include free mental health consultations and coverage for select mental health conditions, part of a broader effort to make mental wellbeing a more accessible part of everyday health protection.

For Ayman Kandil, President and CEO of AXA Philippines, the findings reveal a deeper shift in how Filipinos experience emotional pressure. “This year’s findings show that stress is no longer showing up one challenge at a time. Filipinos are carrying multiple pressures at once and still trying to keep up with school, work, and daily life. When emotional strain starts affecting how people function every day, support cannot wait for burnout or crisis. We need to make it easier for people to seek help early and nurture communities where mental well-being is treated as a shared responsibility,” said Kandil.


In the end, this year’s AXA Mind Health Report underscores a simple but uncomfortable reality that Filipinos are not just stressed; they are managing multiple, overlapping pressures with limited space to recover in between. This reality calls for more accessible support, healthier coping environments, and stronger collective attention to mental wellbeing.


As the one name to cover all your insurance needs, AXA provides complete protection from life to non-life. For more information about AXA Philippines' commitment to holistic well-being for all, visit here.