De-essentializing racial pain: Stories of Filipino health care workers

This article focuses on findings of a qualitative research study that looked at experiences of Filipino healthcare workers in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose is to contribute to the growing body of literature on mental health among racialized frontline healthcare workers in Canada by investigating factors that affect mental health and barriers associated with accessing services and supports among Filipino healthcare workers in Ontario, Canada. The study employed a cross-sectional qualitative descriptive design to identify strategies that Filipino frontline healthcare workers use to effectively cope with mental health issues, work stress, and structural and economic barriers to their well-being. The study conducted in-depth semi-structured and open-ended interviews with 15 female Filipino healthcare workers. Findings indicate that social support received from colleagues, managers, families, and friends, through forms of assistance and protection, are crucial for dealing with various mental health stressors in the workplace during healthcare crises. Participants indicated that adequate social support help frontline healthcare professionals effectively manage stressful events, including the COVID-19 pandemic.