Phenomenologizing Resilience in Overcoming Severe Life Events Among Filipino Mental Health Professionals

The effort to destigmatize mental health issues and concerns in the Philippines has been supported by the implementation of Republic Act No. 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Law. The role of mental health professionals in the realization of the objectives of this law is crucial for they directly interact with Filipino citizens with mental health concerns. However, it is also undeniable that these professionals also experience severe life events which may affect their overall functioning. Ten (10) mental health professionals who are currently practicing in Metro Manila were interviewed to generate the themes that constituted to the development of the whole framework, which includes Severe Life Events, Definition of Resilience, and Contributing Factors to Resilience. The Tibay: A Resilience Framework was formulated based on the mental health professionals’ conceptions regarding the manifestation of their resilience in overcoming various severe life events.