Steph Naval Is The Women Of Influence 2026 Thought Transformer

Sometimes, the simplest truths spark the biggest change. For Steph Naval, changing how Filipinos talk about mental health started with a simple realization: support shouldn't be this hard to find.

When she looked at the mental healthcare system in the Philippines, she noticed that many were focused on simply listing their services and leaving it at that. What was missing was the conversation itself—the education, the openness, the sense that people didn't have to struggle on their own. She wanted to change that.

That drive led her to start Empath, a social enterprise dedicated to making mental healthcare more accessible while sparking a broader dialogue around emotional well-being. Rather than waiting for people to reach a breaking point, Empath leans into psychoeducation—creating content and programs that make mental health approachable, understandable, and part of everyday life.

Empath began partnering with schools, workplaces, and nonprofit organizations to bring mental health programs directly into communities. Each connection sparked others, creating a chain reaction that makes mental health a visible, ongoing conversation rather than a silent struggle.

Steph recalls people telling her, "Empath posts saved my life," even when they hadn't booked a consultation or used any of its services. For her, that's proof that shifting mindsets around mental health can be just as powerful as providing the care itself.

As a Cosmopolitan Philippines Women of Influence 2026 Thought Transformer, Steph continues to redefine what mental healthcare can look like in the Philippines. Grounded in empathy, education, and innovation, she's rewiring how a generation thinks about emotional well-being.

Steph: At 14 years old, I went through a lot of mental health struggles, and it was extremely difficult—the stigma, not knowing who to reach out to. Because of this experience, it really inspired me to start Empath. The goal was to make mental healthcare more accessible and improve its quality through collective support and awareness. I really wanted to empower Filipinas to access the mental healthcare they deserve in the Philippines.

Steph: The idea that someone struggling with mental health is a bad person or is "baliw" in that sense. Mental health should be treated like any other physical concern.

Let's say you sprain your ankle—you go to the doctor, follow the treatment plan, and you heal and recover from it. It's similar to mental health: you can reach out, seek help, do something about it, and heal while continuing to be the best version of yourself.

It's grounded in science, and it's not considered weak to seek out help from experts. In fact, it's you being smart. Health should always be a priority, and I hope more Filipinos see mental health that way.

Steph: Not many people know this, but mental health is a spectrum. On one end is healthy, thriving well-being, and on the other is struggling or poor well-being. Even if you feel like "it's not that heavy of a problem," getting mental health support should be seen as preventive care.

I'm a big advocate of catching yourself early rather than waiting for things to get worse. Don't belittle or invalidate yourself for whatever you're feeling—it's completely valid for you to reach out to someone. It's part of taking care of who you are, and ensuring that your well-being remains a priority.

Steph: There's been a really big boom in mental health awareness among Gen Zs now, especially because of the pandemic. They're hyperaware of these issues. I've even had CEOs and older people tell me, "Steph, I honestly didn't believe in mental health until the pandemic hit and I really experienced it myself."

I'm also concerned because we have a lot of rising cases of depression and anxiety—not necessarily because there's something wrong with this generation, or because we're weak—but because we grew up in a very different time, where technology and social media are such a huge part of our lives. Social media does have its good points, but the misuse of it can really be damaging to a child's development. 

That's the world we were brought into, and it's understandable that these concerns exist. It's why I'm driven to make sure Empath supports both Gen Zs and older generations, because improving mental health can have a ripple effect in so many lives.

Steph: To Each Her Own is really about paving your own path, which can be quite lonely sometimes because you're on your own, you're treading a path not many people take. Whether it's your timeline, being ambitious and driven, or embracing a softer and feminine side, it's about feeling free and not boxed in to certain ideals.

It's also about building something—whether a start-up, a career, or a family—and rebuilding yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically. That's a beautiful way women can embody that theme.

Executive Editor: Ida Aldana

Art Director: Ica Del Mundo, assisted by Caitlin Grabata

Photographer: Lem Atienza, assisted by Yani Espiel, Yuan David, Nicole Evans, and Rafi Lopez

Hair and Makeup: Team Muriel Vega Perez

Interviewer: Cheska Santiago
Story: Justina Torres

Producer: Alyana Olivar
Video: Cherrie Julian and Jino Del Mundo, assisted by Alfred Locsin & George Tuliao

Social Media: Aina Lizarondo, assisted by Margaux Bataclan