Mental health is not a luxury. It is your right.
For many Filipino-Australians and Filipinos who are permanent residents, especially those facing the challenges of life abroad, mental health is still treated as a last resort. We are raised to endure, to carry burdens quietly, and to believe that hardship is simply part of the journey. Often, we turn to prayer, grit, and silence rather than open up about what we are feeling. We tell ourselves we can handle it. We repeat the phrase “Kaya pa!” until it becomes part of our identity. But while resilience is admirable, silence can be heavy. We begin to think that asking for help means we have failed. In truth, it is the opposite. Seeking support is a sign of courage, not weakness. No one should have to suffer silently when help is available.
If you hold a Medicare card, you already have access to essential mental health support through Australia’s public health system. You do not need to wait until things become unmanageable. You do not need to be diagnosed with a mental illness to speak with someone. Feelings of stress, sadness, confusion, or exhaustion are all valid reasons to seek support. The Australian Government offers a Mental Health Care Plan through your GP, which provides up to ten subsidised sessions per year with a mental health professional. This includes psychologists, counsellors, or social workers. Many providers offer bulk billing, which means you may pay little or nothing at all. Your GP will assess your needs and refer you to someone qualified to help. These services are not only accessible but are designed to be used proactively. You deserve to care for your mental wellbeing the same way you care for your physical health.
You do not need to be in crisis to be worthy of clarity and peace. Mental health care is a form of self-respect and self-preservation. Our culture often teaches us to put everyone else first, but healing begins when you decide that your well-being matters too. The pressure to stay strong at all times is unrealistic. Everyone reaches a limit. It is not a sign of failure to say you are tired, overwhelmed, or in need of support. On the contrary, it is one of the bravest decisions you can make. You have the right to rest. You have the right to be listened to. You have the right to heal. Let this be your permission to begin.
How Do You Get It
The first step is simple but powerful. Book an appointment with your local GP and ask for a Mental Health Care Plan. You must not prepare a long explanation or medical proof before the visit. Just be honest with your doctor about how you have been feeling. You can say something as simple as, “I am overwhelmed. I want to talk to someone. I need support.” GPs in Australia are trained to handle mental health concerns with care and confidentiality. They will take your concerns seriously and guide you through the next steps. This conversation can be the beginning of a turning point. You are not being dramatic or overreacting — you are taking responsibility for your emotional well-being.
During your appointment, your GP will assess your situation through thoughtful questions. They may ask about your sleeping habits, appetite, stress levels, or emotional triggers. This is not to label you, but to understand how best to support you. Based on this assessment, your GP will create a Mental Health Care Plan tailored to your needs. This plan includes your goals for mental health and a referral to a mental health professional. The referral could be to a psychologist, counsellor, or accredited social worker. You have the right to ask for someone who matches your background or speaks your language. If you are more comfortable with a Filipino practitioner or someone familiar with migrant struggles, mention that preference. Cultural understanding can make a big difference in your healing journey. Your GP is there to support, not judge.
Once your care plan is set up, you will be given a list of mental health professionals you can access with Medicare support. You may receive an initial block of six subsidised sessions, with the possibility of four more later upon review. Many professionals offer bulk billing, which means there may be little to no out-of-pocket cost. Your GP will explain how to book your sessions and what to expect. This is a flexible system, and you are not locked into one provider if you feel the need to switch later. Each session is your safe space to explore what you are going through, guided by someone trained to help. Keep in mind that using your Mental Health Care Plan does not go against your record or affect your visa or job. This is your health, and the system respects your right to care for it. The key is to take that first step. One appointment can open the door to lasting change.
The Sacred Truth: Rest is Holy
If even Jesus and the saints paused, you are allowed to breathe too.
Even Jesus rested when the weight of his mission became too heavy. He withdrew to quiet places, away from the crowd, to pray and regain strength. He wept when his friend Lazarus died, showing us that divine beings feel deep sorrow too. He asked for help, leaned on his disciples, and embraced silence when the noise became too much. If the Son of God allowed himself to pause and feel, then it is never a failure when we do the same.
Even saints, those we admire for their unwavering faith, had moments of breaking. They cried out in despair, questioned their path, and pleaded for light in their darkest hours. Their strength was not found in perfection, but in the choice to rise again after falling. Holiness does not mean being unshaken. It means being honest enough to say, “I am struggling,” and brave enough to continue anyway.
Take the first step. Book that appointment.
Because kaya mo does not have to mean doing it all alone
Take the first step. Book that appointment with your GP and speak your truth, even if your voice shakes. You do not need to wait for things to fall apart before reaching out. Getting help is not a sign that you are weak; it is a declaration that you are ready to take care of yourself. Your healing begins the moment you choose to stop carrying it all in silence. You are allowed to seek support even if others expect you to stay strong all the time. There is no shame in needing help, only wisdom in asking for it. You have carried so much for so long. Kaya mo does not have to mean doing it all alone.
Mental Health Care Is Self-Respect
You do not need to wait for a breakdown
You do not need to prove you are suffering enough
You do not need to be in pieces to deserve peace
You deserve clarity
You deserve support
You deserve healing
Not just for yourself
But for the generations you are carrying and restoring
For Filipino-Australians seeking mental health support or more guidance on how to access their Medicare benefits, visit www.health.gov.au or talk to your local GP
You are not alone. You are seen. You are worthy of support
by MOE
