New Self-Discovery Movement Launches to Combat Mental Health Crisis Among Filipino Youth
Recent studies have uncovered a concerning emotional struggle sweeping across the Philippines, particularly affecting the younger generation. Thirty-five percent of young adults are experiencing symptoms of depression, while sixteen percent live with anxiety disorders. Many find themselves overwhelmed by profound uncertainty surrounding their career paths, personal identity, relationships, and future prospects.
Addressing the Critical Need for Emotional Tools
Despite these alarming statistics, most affected individuals still lack access to simple, relevant tools that could facilitate self-reflection or provide emotional clarity. To address this growing need, a new movement focused on self-awareness and discovery activities has emerged, offering Filipinos an accessible pathway to understand themselves better, reconnect with their inner world, and gain a clearer sense of direction in life.
The Vision Behind Never Ending Weekends
Founded by Australian entrepreneur Roey Balbus, who has worked closely with Filipino professionals and teams for over fifteen years, Never Ending Weekends was born from a deep-seated belief in Filipino potential, resilience, and capacity for growth. Balbus has spent years supporting Filipino professionals, leaders, and teams through various stages of business growth, personal development, and leadership transformation.
"Filipinos have been working hard their whole lives, and we don't want their freedom or success to come in brief moments," Balbus explained. "For that to happen, they need growth, confidence, and a sense of control over their own lives. We believe that they are capable of so much more when they're given the right tools such as simple activities, accessible guidance, and a path toward true alignment."
Practical Activities for Modern Struggles
True to its mission, Never Ending Weekends offers simple guided activities that focus on themes many Filipinos struggle with today, including:
- Identity exploration
- Clarity development
- Relationship navigation
- Emotional grounding techniques
The program features practical exercises such as:
- Vision Board Creation - Visualizing personal goals and aspirations
- Explore Your Motivators - Identifying what truly drives individual behavior
- Mindset Shift Scenarios - Practicing cognitive reframing techniques
- Obstacle Mapping & Solution Brainstorm - Developing practical problem-solving skills
Each activity is broken down into small, manageable steps that individuals can complete independently or with loved ones, making the process approachable for everyone.
Accessible Support for All Filipinos
The activities are now available through the Never Ending Weekends platform, offering both free options and premium activities starting at an affordable ₱120. This pricing structure ensures that financial constraints don't prevent anyone from accessing valuable self-discovery resources.
"As people go through the activities, they learn to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves to gain clarity about their path and to slowly build a life that feels like a never ending weekend," Balbus added, emphasizing the program's ultimate goal of helping Filipinos create sustainable happiness and fulfillment.
This initiative arrives at a critical time when mental health resources remain limited for many Filipinos, particularly those in younger demographics facing unprecedented social and economic pressures. By providing structured, accessible tools for self-exploration, Never Ending Weekends aims to empower individuals to navigate their emotional landscapes with greater confidence and purpose.
