Arzen Rose Dulzura

EXCLUSIVE: Elijah Canlas opens up about past mental health struggles

Article (news)

Jemuel Tandoc

Push Team

<div><em>Content Warning: This article includes references to intense emotional experiences.</em></div><p>Elijah Canlas has always been vocal about his support for mental health causes, including the launch of their KULIT The JM Canlas organization, which honors his late brother, JM.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747787859178Screenshot 2025-05-21 083719.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Elijah opened up about his own mental health struggles and how his brother, JM, was there to support him during those challenging times.</p><p>“When I was going through depression as well, he was always there. Laging kakatok lang yun to check on me, (itatanong niya kung) ‘Kuya, okay ka lang?’ Makita niya lang may problema, siya yung unang magtatanong kung okay ba ako, kung may kailangan ba ako, and he would respect my quiet time, or kahit problema ko with other people, grabe yung respect ko sa kanya, grabe yung suporta na nakukuha ako galing sa kanya,” Elijah revealed.</p><p>Elijah added that he deeply misses JM’s unwavering support: “Nakaka-miss yung part na yun, and I keep myself happy by remembering those moments. Kasi, you know, yun yung mga panahon na sobrang naparamdam talaga ni JM yung pagmamahal niya.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1747787946799Screenshot 2025-05-21 083850.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The Kapamilya actor also shared how his brother would always show pride in him.</p><p>“Honestly, he&#x27;s the best brother you can ever ask for. Sobrang, he never failed to make me feel loved, and he never failed to make me proud. He never failed na iparamdam kung gaano siya ka-proud sa akin, sa mga film na nagagawa ako, performances, kahit music, never siya nag-fail na iparamdam yung pagmamahal niya,” he recalled.</p><p>Elijah admitted that, even now, he doesn&#x27;t know how he gets by after the loss of his brother, but he finds solace in the thought that JM is no longer struggling.</p><p>“Hindi ko na alam. Pero honestly, it&#x27;s just the thought that it&#x27;s just the thought that there&#x27;s no more pain for him. He was really struggling. He did his best to fight his sickness, and everything that was going on inside his head, and everything that he was feeling, he did his best. He did his part, and now he&#x27;s at peace. Yan lang yung nasa isip ko talaga. And nowadays, siyempre, I just use him, use JM as my main inspiration with everything that I do.”</p><p>He continued, saying that he keeps JM’s memory alive through himself and everything he does: “Keeping (myself) busy din, with music, with filming, that&#x27;s how I get my day-to-day just living through him, through his memory.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGyIiqyTQ48/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A355515%2C%22ls%22%3A354923.30000000005%2C%22le%22%3A355456.09999999986%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, Elijah also shared a heartfelt message to his dear brother.</p><p>“Ang masasabi ko sobrang miss kita, and those last couple of months, sinabi ko naman sa&#x27;yo, how much you mean to me, how much I love you, and miss na miss ka namin lahat dito. Ito, syempre, promise namin na we will keep remembering you, we will live with your memory, and always make people remember you, and help more people, because that&#x27;s what you always wanted, to help more people through sports or through your art.”</p><div><em>*If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, please know that help is available. You can reach out to the National Center for Mental Health through their crisis hotline:</em></div><div><em>NCMH CRISIS HOTLINENationwide: 1553 or 1800-1888-1553</em></div><div><em>Smart/TNT: 0919-057-1553Globe/TM: 0917-899-8727 or 0966-351-4518</em></div><div><em>You may also check https://ncmh.gov.ph/ for further details.</em></div>

<p>Elijah Canlas opens up about his struggles with mental health and how his late brother, JM Canlas, supported him during those challenging times. The Kapamilya actor also shares how his brother and family motivated him through it all.</p>

Elijah Canlas opens up about his struggles with mental health and how his late brother, JM Canlas, supported him during those challenging times. The Kapamilya actor also shares how his brother and family motivated him through it all.