Elijah Canlas talks mental health, recalls late brother JM Canlas

• Elijah Canlas opened up about mental health in a new interview where he reflected on the struggles and passing of his younger brother JM
• The actor and his family created KULIT The JM Canlas Organization to honor JM and help adolescents through mental health awareness programs
• Elijah explained that the group focuses on art therapy sports therapy and fundraising to provide free therapy sessions for young people
• He also emphasized the importance of educating parents through seminars so they can better understand and support children facing mental health challenges

Actor Elijah Canlas spoke candidly about mental health in a recent interview with GMA Integrated News Interviews, reflecting on his late brother JM Canlas, who passed away in 2023 after battling mental health challenges. To honor JM’s memory and help others facing similar struggles, Elijah and his family founded a mental health organization named “Kalinga Unawa at Lingap sa Isip at Taglay” (KULIT: The JM Canlas Organization).

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Elijah explained that the name “KULIT” came from JM’s own nickname within their family.

“I used to call JM, my brother ‘Kulit.’ Sobrang kulit niya, sobrang masiyahin, sobrang kulit, pilyo, lahat na. Kaya ‘Kulit’ ang nickname niya sa pamilya and close friends,” he said, adding that people who seem full of energy and humor often hide deep personal battles. “‘Yung mga makukulit, you never know what they’re really going through.”

He shared that KULIT focuses on mental health awareness, art therapy, and sports therapy, honoring JM’s passion as a varsity badminton player.

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“Dinadaan namin sa sports and fundraising and sometimes makabuo ng enough funding para makapagbigay ng libreng therapy para sa mga adolescents, ’yun po talaga ang focus namin,” Elijah explained.

The organization also holds seminars for parents to equip them with tools to understand and support children struggling with mental health issues.

You can watch the Elijah Canlas bravely talking about his late brother JM and about mental health in this 24 Oras video uploaded on GMA Integrated News YouTube channel:

Elijah Canlas is a highly regarded Filipino actor and commercial model who began his career at 14 through the independent film Sundalong Kanin. He rose to prominence with his award-winning performance in Kalel, 15, and later earned the Best Primetime Drama Actor award at the 2024 Platinum Stallion National Media Awards for his role in ABS-CBN’s Senior High.

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Earlier this year, Elijah shared that his song Loved Song was written especially for actress Miles Ocampo, who first heard the track three years ago. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, he recalled Miles’ sincere reaction when he let her listen to it, noting how meaningful that moment was for both of them.

Elijah also opened up about the loss of his younger brother, JM Canlas, in an emotional interview with PUSH ABS-CBN. Speaking with deep affection and regret, he expressed how proud he remains of JM, saying he wishes he had told his brother more often how much he loved and cared for him.

Source: KAMI.com.gh