Kara David is an award-winning journalist, documentarian, and advocate known for tackling important mental health issues in the Philippines. Through her documentaries and interviews, she produces impactful documentaries that shed light on the topic of promoting the benefits of bipolar disorder (BD). She exemplifies servant leadership and humility, guiding individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder toward better mental health management. One of her significant contributions is promoting mental health awareness by openly discussing her personal experience with bipolar disorder (BD). She shares a positive perspective on her diagnosis, viewing it as a "gift" rather than a hindrance (LionHearTv, 2024). Kara David uses her voice as a powerful tool for mental health advocacy as she effectively challenges stigma, reshaping public perceptions of bipolar disorder, and highlighting its positive aspects through her documentaries and interviews. Her work plays a crucial role in advancing mental health awareness in the Philippines and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), particularly SDG 3.4, which promotes mental health and aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

By sharing her journey in battling bipolar disorder (BD), she encourages others to embrace their mental health challenges rather than fearing them. In a podcast with Nelson Canlas, she was invited to speak and openly discuss her diagnosis. Kara David stated, “If you have a mental health condition, use it to your advantage, seek professional help, but also find what works for you.” Throughout the interview, Kara David aimed to tell the individuals to take charge of their well-being. Her words reflected the importance of perseverance, showing people that coping with bipolar disorder can be transformed into opportunities for personal growth, advocating for a better mental health (Garcia, 2023) 

The advocacy of Kara David is deeply rooted in the value of servant leadership. By using her platform to uplift individuals with BD, she demonstrates the teaching of selfless service. Despite battling her own condition, she remains dedicated to guiding others in building strength and overcoming the challenges of bipolar disorder which are emotional struggles, relationship difficulties, and workplace issues (Forbes, 2024). Through humility, she integrates her faith into her work, offering hope, acceptance, and a sense of community. In addition, she expresses humility into her work ethics as she willingly offers hope, acceptance, and a sense of community. It is clearly evident that Kara David exemplifies servant leadership by advocating for the benefits of managing bipolar disorder and emphasizing its positive aspects. Her unwavering commitment to advocate for the mental health of those diagnosed individuals, leads her to be optimistic without being overconfident, integrating the gospel values into her daily life. 

The gospel value, Fortitude, is manifested in the perspective of Kara David, as she emphasizes the importance of viewing challenges as a source of creativity and strength—showcasing her deeply embedded values. Through this value, it helps not only herself but others to guide others to battle their problems, looking up to Kara David as a reliable role model, like how Jesus Christ serves as a role model for all the people. She acknowledges her bipolar disorder enhances her ability to work in unique ways. In an interview on KC After Hours with Karmina Constantino she mentioned, "It is like, you know, I can see the words, and everything feels so colorful," showing evidence regarding her bipolar disorder guides her to create her best work (MSN, n.d). This shows how impactful her statement is to people who are in need of, providing the value of hope.

In 2019, Kara David publicly revealed her diagnosis of bipolar disorder to actively dismantle stigma surrounding mental health and normalize seeking treatment (CFI, n.d). Regardless of her efforts, mental health stigma in the Philippines remains a major obstacle, preventing many from accessing care due to fear of judgment or discrimination. Her value of servant leadership ingrained in her, as it stands out and embraces her hard work in advocating for the individuals suffering with bipolar disorder in order for them to be healthy, even if they disagree with her powerful statements.

David, a journalist and head of the journalism department at the University of the Philippines Diliman, created messages of resilience about her bipolar disorder (BD). Regardless of experiencing significant emotional distress from both her work and personal life, she sought medical help after being diagnosed with BD (Jimeno, 2022). This approach reinforces the argument that lived experiences can enhance journalistic integrity, making personal testimony a powerful tool for advocacy and systemic change. David reframes her bipolar disorder as a positive force, stating, "I do not consider having bipolar disorder a curse. It is a gift. It makes me creative and energetic. It makes me think fast." (MSN, n.d). As shown in this paragraph, this perspective highlights her resilience, as she refuses to let her condition hinder her daily life. Her commitment to advocacy and service reflects her deep-rooted Gospel values, including servant leadership, perseverance, and compassion, which allows her to lessen bipolar disorder and inspire others who are facing similar struggles, to do the same.

      Neglecting receiving numerous accolades, David remains focused on using her voice to highlight societal issues rather than seeking personal recognition. This shows another value of humility, as she progressively knows how to advocate while not looking for popularity but rather dedication in capturing the struggles of disadvantaged communities through her journalism, as she brings attention to the individuals suffering rather than using it as a path to fame and popularity.

Additionally, In her documentary "Gapos," Kara David explores the plight of individuals with mental health conditions, where everything accessible is scarce. The film features an individual, who was chained for over 12 years due to his mental illness. Through her storytelling, David bridges the gap between medical discourse and everyday understanding, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by those with mental health issues in rural areas (Onasa, n.d.). Overall, her personal experience with bipolar disorder has influenced her storytelling, allowing her to connect deeply with human emotions, incorporating personal experiences and emotions to the story. With her storytelling skills, she took advantage of it and demonstrated compassion toward the diagnosed individuals. To conclude, her dedication to amplifying the voices of those who encounter rejection and misunderstanding reflects her commitment to the gospel value of empathy. Therefore, she makes an effort to understand and share the feelings of another person, putting herself in the shoes of a marginalized individual, feeling what they are experiencing, whether it is joy, pain, or struggle. In addition, her values to help the people who are currently suffering, to be guided because of the power of compassion and empathy are embedded in Kara David.

Building on this, her advocacy highlights the challenges associated with bipolar disorder, including poor clinical and functional outcomes as well as discrimination, while also recognizing that some individuals develop adaptability through their experiences (Trevino-Zuniga, 2023). She frames her diagnosis as both an obstacle and a source of personal strength, contributing to the broader conversation on mental health by illustrating how individuals can navigate BD while pursuing their passion.

Provided that David confronts the struggles of individuals with mental health conditions, making the issue more relatable and urgent. The journey of Kara David in managing her bipolar disorder, started with gym workouts and badminton, progressing to swimming, running, cycling, and eventually became a triathlete. By utilizing storytelling, she humanizes the struggles of those with mental illness. Her determination conveys a value of courage, inspiring others to pursue their goals—proving that even what once seemed impossible remains within reach, regardless of a bipolar disorder diagnosis. Her personal experience in being physically active improved her mental health and led her to qualify for the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. With this, she expresses the good parts of bipolar disorder and continues to prove to others that it is not impossible to achieve a goal even with a mental condition, like Kara David in this case.

In conclusion, Kara David has chosen a path of resilience, viewing her condition as a gift rather than a hindrance or curse. Her advocacy emphasizes the positive aspects of her experience and encourages others to embrace their own journeys without shame. Her efforts may seem simple, but they have a profound impact on individuals struggling with bipolar disorder (BD). She embodies servant leadership by prioritizing the needs of others, perseverance by continuously battling bipolar disorder despite its challenges, and hope by emphasizing its significance—even in moments when life feels hopeless. The gospel values she embodies have guided her in advocating for the mental health of diagnosed individuals, highlighting herself as a reliable role model. Through compassion, empathy, and other values, she has been able to uplift and support people who are in need. Moving forward, it is essential to continue fostering a society that embraces and supports those facing mental health challenges. Let her advocacy serve as an inspiration to support policies and discussions that prioritize mental health care in the Philippines.