COVID-19-related mental health challenges and opportunities perceived by mental health providers in the Philippines.

This paper outlines the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by 145 licensed mental health providers in the Philippines in an online survey. Respondents perceived an increase in observed mental health disorders in their beneficiaries and an overall decrease in stigma associated with receiving mental health care services during the pandemic. Respondents further identified specific stigma-related help-seeking barriers during the pandemic. Positive impacts of telehealth and importance of increased public education of mental health were highlighted, with implications for improving the landscape of mental health care for Philippines post-pandemic. • Perceptions of mental health providers are an important source of information for identifying barriers to mental health care. • In the Philippines, barriers to access and stigma-related treatment barriers were perceived to be reduced during the pandemic. • Positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic included increased use of teletherapy, and increased awareness and education around mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]