Joey de Leon says depression ‘gawa-gawa lang’, calls depressed ‘nagpapasosyal’

Joey de Leon made a comment on depression which got people reacting.

Just like most segments of the show Eat Bulaga in which hosts ask for contestants to share a piece of their lives, sugod-bahay winner Maria Cristina was no different. Jose Manalo asked her about her mother’s condition.

Maria Cristina said that her mother was suffering from depression.

“Ang sabi lang po nung doktor, depression, tapos ‘yung katandaan kasi makakalimutin na po (The doctor simply said that it was depression and old-age because she’s forgetful),” she said.

Joey who was in the studio commented, “’Yung depression, gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao iyan. Gawa nila sa sarili nila (Depression is just made up by people. They did it to themselves).”

Jose agreed, saying that people are just ‘depressing’ themselves until they get sick.

Jose and Wally Bayola started joking about the issue, as the latter asked Maria Cristina’s mom, Agnes, if she was depressed – in which she answered no. He later commented that the doctor probably made it up.

Maine, who didn’t seem to be laughing decided to speak in defense of the condition with a firm stance that depression is not something that should be a subject of a joke, “Uy, pero hindi biro ‘yun, ah (Hey, it isn’t trivial, ah).”

“Hindi biro ‘yang depression. Hindi siya joke (Depression is not trivial. It is not a joke),” she said.

Despite voicing her opposition, her co-hosts continued on laughing and joking about the condition and asked her for an explanation.

“Hindi, kasi maraming nakakararanas ng ganun lalo na sa mga kabataan. Kaya ‘pag may nakakaranas ng ganun, kailangan natin bigyan ng suporta (It is not a joke because a lot of people experience it especially the youth. So if someone is going through it, we need to give them support),” she said. Her on-screen partner Alden Richards who was beside her agreed, commenting “moral support.”

However, Joey stood firm with his opinion and insisted, “Hindi, huwag niyo suportahan. (No, do not support them).”

“It’s all in the mind!” Allan K said.

The connection to the remote was interrupted while Allan K and Joey continued their discussion in the studio. The former asked what depression was about. Joey answered, “Nagpapasosyal lang.”

He added that the rich call it depression while the poor simply call it ‘no hope in life.’

As much as Filipinos are known for smiling and laughing off problems, netizens are not happy with Joey’s ‘insensitive’ remarks about mental health. Netizens on Twitter chose to speak up through their keyboards, bashing Joey.

Twitter user @rainneasdjkl tweeted “The worst part about depression, people who don’t have it, just don’t get it, like Joey De Leon.”

@_dontcallmemarry said “Dear people who are suffering from depression and other mental illnesses, don’t listen to Joey De Leon. Your condition is not ‘gawa-gawa lang (made up).’

@fatimabadong said “One of the reasons why people with depression are afraid to speak up is because people like Joey de Leon do exist.

As of writing, the veteran host is still in the number one trending spot in Twitter and hasn’t responded to the criticisms he received.