Content warning: This article contains discussions of mental health, depression, and suicide.
Television host Kim “Kuya Kim” Atienza shared his thoughts on mental health following recent remarks made during a Senate hearing on children’s safety on social media.
The discussion stemmed from a hearing on the proposed Children’s Safety in Social Media Act on February 11, 2026, where Senator Robin Padilla reflected on how childhood looked different in his generation. He recalled a time when children played outdoors, went camping, and built friendships offline.
Photo: Kuya Kim Atienza/Facebook
During the hearing, Padilla described today’s youth as “weak,” saying that in his time, they were not “iyakin” and learned resilience from experiences in the streets. He also noted that the word “depression” was not commonly used when he was growing up, contrasting it with how often it is mentioned by young people today.
The remarks circulated online and sparked conversation across social media platforms. Among those who responded was Kuya Kim.
“It’s not that simple, Mr. Senator. It is not that simple,” he wrote in a comment on a news post featuring the senator’s statements.
He later shared a longer message on his own social media account, emphasizing empathy and support in conversations about mental health.
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“While views may differ on how depression is understood across generations, one thing is clear: support should always be available… whether or not the word was used before, the need for help is real for many today.”
Kuya Kim has previously opened up about his family’s experience with mental health. His 19-year-old daughter, the late content creator Emman Atienza, struggled with depression and attempted to take her life in 2020. At the time, he stayed by her side for days while hospital protocols limited visitors due to the pandemic.
Following the public reaction, Padilla later issued a clarification on Facebook, saying he did not intend to belittle anyone. He emphasized that studies have linked excessive social media use to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and low self-esteem, and that protecting children online should be treated as a public health concern.
Mental health advocates and organizations have also weighed in on the broader conversation, noting that depression is a medically recognized condition characterized by persistent sadness or a loss of interest in activities. Increased awareness, some say, reflects more open discussions compared to previous generations.
Paumanhin, Sen. Robin Padilla.
Noong panahon po kasi ninyo maraming mga tao partikular na ang kabataan ang natatakot na magsabi dahil sa katulad po ninyo na kaysa maunawaan eh hinuhusgahan kaagad na “weak” o mahina kapag may pinagdadaanan. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/fq4kLPGd9r
— Your Millennial Psychologist (@riyanportuguez) February 11, 2026
As the dialogue continues, Kuya Kim’s message remains focused on understanding.
“A little kindness (and understanding) goes a long way,” he wrote.
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