Abstract. The study is a qualitative phenomenological hermeneutic that explored the lived experiences of Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines' (ADSP) members amid public stigma and the role of ADSP in these experiences. The main purposes of the study are (1) to fill the gap in the literature on the role of local mental health peer support groups in the lives of its members amid public stigma and (2) to highlight the role of local mental health support groups. Six participants were interviewed with a semi-structured interview protocol through Zoom. A step-by-step procedure of Creswell's thematic analysis was employed. The emerging themes and subthemes were the following: Major Textural Theme 1, Day-to-Day Personal Challenges (with subthemes, Somatic Symptoms and Costly Treatment), Major Textural Theme 2, Stigma Experienced from the Public (with subthemes, Invisibility of Mental Health Condition, Imposement of Spiritual Beliefs, Pill Shaming Phenomenon, and Deregatory Stereotypes), Major Structural Theme, Meaning (with subthemes, Shared Struggles, Acknowledgment of Proper Treatment, and Being Unbothered), and Major Textural Theme 3, Role of ADSP (Providing Emotional Support, Preventing Suicide, Assisting in Help-Seeking, and Actualizing Potential). Some of the recommendations were future research to examine and explore the structure and dynamics of Filipino-based mental health support groups to further address the needs of individuals with mental health conditions or psychological disorders (particularly anxiety and depression) and national-level encouragement of the development of accessible Filipino–based mental health support groups. The research will also contribute to the pool of local research exploring the same topic or related topics.

Keywords:  ADSP; phenomenological hermeneutic; anxiety and depression; mental health support group; public stigma