Pepe Herrera Gets Real About Mental Health — ‘Asking for Help Is a Sign of Strength’
PEPE HERRERA – Actor and comedian Pepe Herrera has bared his soul in an emotional social media post, revealing his ongoing struggle with anxiety and post-traumatic stress and how therapy helped him reclaim his peace of mind.
TRIGGER WARNING: This story discusses mental health issues and abuse.
Actor and comedian Pepe Herrera has courageously opened up about his battle with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), revealing how the condition has deeply affected his life since 2023. Known for his memorable performances in Ang Probinsyano and various films, Herrera shared a heartfelt post on social media, hoping to raise awareness about mental health and inspire others to seek help when needed.
According to Herrera, his struggles began in 2023 and worsened over time, to the point that they disrupted his sleep and overall well-being. After experiencing a mental breakdown, he decided to seek therapy, where he began learning to process his thoughts and emotions more healthily.
He expressed his gratitude to his therapists, friends, and loved ones who stood by him throughout his healing journey. Through therapy, Herrera learned to reframe his thoughts, listen to his body, and approach his emotions with compassion rather than fear. “Asking for help can be a sign of strength. Asking help from the right people can be a sign of wisdom,” he wrote, emphasizing that vulnerability should never be seen as weakness.
In his post, Herrera explained that part of his anxiety was linked to past trauma and abuse he had experienced and witnessed since childhood. “One of my therapist said I’m also experiencing a type of PTSD. Apparently, it’s connected to the amount of abuse I have experienced and witnessed since my early years,” he shared.
He also reflected on the importance of language and self-awareness, explaining that how people describe their emotions can influence how they deal with them. “Reframing sentences like ‘I am anxious’ to ‘I am feeling anxious’ can help create the shift from feeling defeated to feeling empowered,” he said. By making that change, Herrera learned to separate his identity from his emotions and view anxiety, grief, and rage as “energy in motion” — feelings that come and go rather than define him.
Pepe Herrera also revealed that he developed a personal routine to release negative energy during anxiety attacks. “When triggered or experiencing an attack, the best way for me to release the heavy energy without passing the trauma to others is to move,” he explained.
Despite continuing to face challenges, Herrera said he now feels stronger and more empowered as he continues his path toward recovery. “I still feel the struggle on a regular basis but I am now feeling more courageous in handling the rise and fall inside my brain and body,” he wrote.
He ended his post with a message of gratitude and compassion, thanking those who offered him understanding and unconditional support. “May this help you or the people in your circle see and understand people who are struggling with kindness and empathy,” he said, before signing off with hope and serenity: “Ok balik muna ako sa outdoors to enjoy the healing effects of Mother Nature. See you next week or next month. God Bless You.”
Through his honesty, Pepe Herrera continues to shed light on the importance of mental health, reminding everyone that healing is possible — and that asking for help is an act of strength, not shame.
READ ALSO: Pepe Herrera Recalls His Impromptu Duet With Pilita Corrales