Filipino singer Ylona Garcia was sent to the hospital due to stress after seeing "distasteful and unnecessary words being shared" on social media.
The 'Fly Tonight' singer took to Twitter Monday evening (06/25) to share the news. "Wishing and praying we could all be spreading love more than hate on social media, because people that get bashed/disrespected on social media can only stay strong for so long and can be so close to breaking down," she writes. While the 16-year-old star wished to keep things private, she revealed, "I want everyone to be aware of their mental health."
Wishing and praying we could all be spreading love more than hate on social media, because people that get bashed/disrespected on social media can only stay strong for so long and can be so close to breaking down. As much I'd like to keep things private, I want everyone to be aware of their mental health.
Woke up this morning scrolling through social media to see such distasteful and unnecessary words being shared. I have to be honest, it really stressed me out and I spent hours trying to find ways to make sure everyone would be happy and okay, to the fact where I forgot about myself. To the point where I ended up in the hospital.
I'm sharing this with you now to create awareness. #PleaseSpreadLove
Garcia's hospitalization follows the passing of the Philippine Mental Health Act, which was signed last week (06/21), making mental health services more accessible and affordable to Filipinos. The law mandates the Department of Health and the Department of Education to include the "full range of psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial services" according to author Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and will educate the public with anti-stigma and anti-discrimination programs in schools and workplaces.
Other local artists have been spreading mental health awareness. In April, Filipino alternative rock act December Avenue unveiled their video for 'Bulong,' which tells the story of a relationship between a man and a woman who suffers from bipolar disorder. "We do hope that this music video would somehow be a tool to reach out and to spread awareness," the band revealed. "Any mental illness is definitely a serious thing."
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See Garcia's original post below.
— ylona. (@ylona_garcia) June 25, 2018
Watch Ylona Garcia's video for 'Fly Tonight' here.
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