A LAWMAKER has called for urgent, coordinated action to address a growing mental health crisis among young people in Southeast Asia, warning that inaction could carry long-term consequences for the region’s future.

4Ps Party-list Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos II raised the concern during the 3rd Consultative Meeting of the Young Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

Abalos cited a rising number of youth experiencing anxiety, depression, and stress, noting that stigma and limited access to services continue to keep many from seeking help.

“Mental health is not only a health issue; it is a social justice issue,” he said, stressing that the challenge extends beyond healthcare and requires broader policy intervention.

He warned that many ASEAN countries remain ill-equipped to respond, raising concerns over whether existing laws, budgets, and institutions are sufficient to meet the needs of young people.

Alongside mental health concerns, Abalos pointed to widening digital gaps across the region—particularly between urban and rural communities—which he said further deepen inequality among the youth.

“At present, digital literacy levels among ASEAN youth remain uneven. That gap is more than a technical issue—it is a development issue, an equality issue, and, ultimately, a legislative issue,” he added.

While emerging technologies present opportunities, Abalos said their benefits will not be shared equitably without deliberate government action, especially as digital spaces increasingly shape young people’s well-being.

He added that young legislators are in a strong position to respond, given their familiarity with technology and firsthand understanding of its impact.

Abalos urged fellow parliamentarians to turn discussions into concrete policy proposals for elevation to the AIPA General Assembly, particularly measures that promote safe digital environments and accessible mental health services for the youth.