Rabiya Mateo Opens Up About Being Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety

It’s 2026, and it’s high time we normalize conversations around mental health. More than ever, we should extend kindness to others, regardless of how much—or how little—we know about them. These were the sentiments echoed by Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo.

The grand coronation of Miss Iloilo was held last January 17. As one of the judges, Rabiya Mateo arrived a day earlier and shared a Facebook post that read, “Iloilo na! Where to eat?” While many responded with genuine recommendations, others took the opportunity to attack the beauty queen, leaving harsh comments, including cruel remarks about her physical appearance. It bears noting that Rabiya is, in fact, from Iloilo herself.

She followed this with a series of emotional posts. The conversation escalated later that evening when Rabiya Mateo publicly disclosed that she had been “diagnosed with depression and anxious distress” in 2025. She shared that she underwent several rounds of medication and even left the country for a few months to avoid triggers from “people who have no idea what I’ve been going through.”

Also attached to her post was a medical certificate confirming her condition, which included her psychiatrist’s recommendations for recovery.

The 29-year-old added that “every day was a struggle to survive.” She also considered stepping away from social media due to rampant online bullying, expressing a longing for a “quiet and peaceful life” instead. “I fought hard and [am] still fighting up until now,” she wrote.

In light of recent events, Rabiya also referenced the devastating passing of Emman Atienza, acknowledging the profound pain it must have caused his father, Kim Atienza, widely known as Kuya Kim. The situation deeply resonated with Rabiya, who shared that she “made a promise to myself to never give up,” so as not to leave her own family with similar grief.

She further underscored how much kindness means to her—and to others navigating depression—emphasizing that words carry weight and can push people toward harmful directions. A little more care, she stressed, can make a meaningful difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 (landline), 0917-899-8727 (Globe), or 0919-057-1553 (Smart).