AXA, a worldwide leader in insurance, releases its latest edition of the Mind Health Report[1], a global study carried out in partnership with IPSOS, one of the world’s leading market research companies. The 2026 report highlights the continuous deterioration of people’s psychological state, the rise in the use of artificial intelligence to consult about their mental health, and the responsibility of companies to support individuals.
Global pattern, local intensity
Mental health worldwide continues to deteriorate: in 10 of the 16 countries in the study, mental health scores are at their lowest since the first survey wave in 2021. 46% of those surveyed say they are struggling or languishing[2]. These results confirm a structural trend, driven by an accumulation of stress factors that are durably undermining psychological well-being.
The Philippines shows slight improvement in those classified as struggling, but a more persistent concern remains: that about 31% of Filipinos are still in a languishing state, amid persistent concerns around financial instability and rising social unrest.
Progress exists, but it is fragile and overshadowed by pressures that remain deeply embedded in everyday life. Among younger Filipinos, this weight is increasingly personal. While digital life remains constant and immersive, 72% of Filipino youth report feelings of loneliness or sadness.
For many, being online is less a choice than a condition of modern life. It is where conversations unfold, where news breaks, and where identity is continuously shaped. But it is also where pressure accumulates without pause.
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
In response, coping has become more adaptive and increasingly digital. As emotional pressures mount, more Filipinos are turning to AI-enabled tools for emotional guidance and everyday support. Regular AI usage for mental health management stands at 29% among Filipinos (higher than the global average of 21%), predominantly among 18–34-year-olds. This regular engagement with AI is also notably higher among individuals who self-report a mental health condition.
However, this reliance comes with risks: about a third (33%) reported having felt uneasy or concerned after receiving AI guidance. Worryingly, 25% reported that AI recommendations have led them to harmful behavior.
Another glaring discrepancy between the Philippines and the rest of the world is that the cost of mental health services remains the primary barrier to mental health support, unlike global trends, where lack of awareness is more common. This widening gap between awareness and access reflects a clear reality that while many Filipinos recognize their mental health needs and are open to seeking support, taking action is still largely constrained by affordability and ease of access.
It is within this gap that more practical forms of support become especially relevant, helping individuals take small but meaningful steps toward better mental wellbeing within the realities of daily life. This is why AXA Philippines continues to expand access to mind health solutions designed for ever-evolving needs, including the Mind Health Self-Check tool, which helps individuals assess and monitor their mental wellbeing. It also offers health plans that include free mental health consultations, making professional support more accessible to customers, and coverage for select mental health conditions. These approaches reflect a broader shift toward integrating mental wellbeing into everyday health protection, with the aim of encouraging earlier action and supporting longer-term resilience.
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 as 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.
