Here at Preen, we have equal value for physical, emotional, and mental health, so imagine our reaction when we saw a video clip of Joey De Leon from Eat Bulaga. You could say there was disbelief that a man on live TV would dismiss an illness, there was disgust because of his lack of sensitivity, and there was disrespect for obvious reasons.
“Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mag tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila,” (Depression is just something made up by people. They do it to themselves.) Joey said on a segment called “Juan for All, All for Juan.” One of the hosts Jose Manalo also dismissed it and said that it was just made up by the doctors. Maine Mendoza, on the other hand, reacted and said, “Hindi biro yang depression. Hindi siya joke. Hindi kasi maraming nakakaranas ng ganyan lalo na sa mga kabataan. Kaya pag may nakakaranas ng ganun, kailangan natin bigyan ng suporta.” (Depression is a serious matter. It’s not a joke. A lot of people are experiencing this especially from the youth. So if there’s someone going through it, we should give support.) Alden Richards agreed and said people who go through depression need moral support.
Ctto : pic.twitter.com/Ea4cr1fupe
— Christine Babao (@ChristineBBabao) October 5, 2017
But Joey didn’t stop there, “Huwag niyo supportahan. Gawa-gawa lang nila yun. Nagpapasosyal lang. Pag mayaman, depression. Pag mahirap, wala, wala ng pag-asa sa buhay mo.” (No, don’t support. They just make it up and they’re trying to act rich. When you’re rich, you have depression. When you’re poor, you don’t have hope in life.)
It makes me wonder why Maine and Alden were the only ones with a proper grasp of the issue. Meanwhile, their much older counterparts, who we expect knowledge from, basically tried to make a joke out of a serious matter. But guess what? We were not the only ones who reacted negatively. A lot took their issues on social media and that includes celebrities, too. The focus? Help spread awareness about mental health and don’t let a man like Joey say it’s irrelevant and made up.
Joey de Leon. Please go away. You have proven yourself as not only uneducated but completely irrelevant.
— carlosceldran (@carlosceldran) October 5, 2017
Maine Mendoza. Bravo for standing up to a complete asshat. We need more of you. Less of Joey de Leon.
— carlosceldran (@carlosceldran) October 5, 2017
Depression isn’t a joke. Same last name, but thank God we’re not related. Ew.
Shame on him and people who think like him.
— Mariel de Leon (@mariaangelicadl) October 5, 2017
I have so much respect for these two who proved how mature they are, & even more grown up than that old man. #DepressionIsNotAJokingMatter pic.twitter.com/JIyIhoeLtz
— Christine Babao (@ChristineBBabao) October 5, 2017
Dear people with depression: We see you. We are glad you’ve come this far. The ignorance of some people does not invalidate your struggle.
— JuanMiguelSevero?? (@TheRainBro) October 5, 2017
On a positive note: Mukhang ito na ang panahon that mental health issues get the attention and the awareness campaign that it needs here. ❤
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) October 5, 2017
Depression is no joke. Depression is real. Awareness is what we need to end potentially dangerous remarks and comments about it.
— Khalil Ramos (@TheKhalilRamos) October 5, 2017
I suggest you do more research on clinical depression, the serotonin transporter gene, hippocampus shrinkage & Neurogenisis. https://t.co/I2PlZMO80B
— Khalil Ramos (@TheKhalilRamos) October 5, 2017
@ joey de leon https://t.co/k1IzKWMxcJ
— Scout Magazine (@scoutmagph) October 5, 2017
Someone please educate Joey De Leon about mental health.
— Jerard. (@jerardeusebio) October 5, 2017
The reason why so many people dont admit they’re depressed because people like Joey De Leon will just make fun of it. It is not a joke.
— Champ Santos (@chicoloco_34) October 5, 2017
no it isn’t just a “phase”. it’s not imaginary. it’s not “gawa-gawa”. depression is real. acknolwedge it. fight it. beat it. i’m with you.
— LA (@LAAGUINALDO) October 5, 2017
You, putting down the person saying depression isnt real, isn’t the solution. To call out is different from beating someone down. #BeKind pic.twitter.com/Uu8W83sLVe
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) October 5, 2017
According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and the way you act. In the Philippines, the Mental Health Act of 2017 has just been passed by the Senate. The act seeks to establish a national mental health policy that will make mental health services easily available to all.
Now remind me, why is Joey De Leon still on television?
Art by Lara Intong
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