This study explores the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes, focusing on the impact of family and significant other support, as well as friend support, on positive affect, anxiety, and depression. The research is grounded in Lazarus and Folkman's stress and coping theory, which emphasizes the role of social support in shaping how individuals perceive and manage stress. A cross-sectional survey of 426 Filipino adults during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Participants completed measures including the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), the Positive Affect subscale of PANAS, and the Depression and Anxiety subscales of DASS-21. Mediation analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that perceived stress significantly mediated the relationship between family and significant other support with positive affect, anxiety, and depression. Family and significant other support decreased perceived stress, increasing positive affect, and decreasing anxiety and depression. However, perceived stress did not mediate the relationship between friend support and mental health outcomes. The study highlights the importance of social support in reducing perceived stress and improving mental health. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, emphasizing the need for interventions that leverage social support to enhance mental well-being. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data. The study contributes to the understanding of the complex dynamics between social support, perceived stress, and mental health outcomes.This study explores the mediating role of perceived stress in the relationship between social support and mental health outcomes, focusing on the impact of family and significant other support, as well as friend support, on positive affect, anxiety, and depression. The research is grounded in Lazarus and Folkman's stress and coping theory, which emphasizes the role of social support in shaping how individuals perceive and manage stress. A cross-sectional survey of 426 Filipino adults during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Participants completed measures including the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), the Positive Affect subscale of PANAS, and the Depression and Anxiety subscales of DASS-21. Mediation analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that perceived stress significantly mediated the relationship between family and significant other support with positive affect, anxiety, and depression. Family and significant other support decreased perceived stress, increasing positive affect, and decreasing anxiety and depression. However, perceived stress did not mediate the relationship between friend support and mental health outcomes. The study highlights the importance of social support in reducing perceived stress and improving mental health. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, emphasizing the need for interventions that leverage social support to enhance mental well-being. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data. The study contributes to the understanding of the complex dynamics between social support, perceived stress, and mental health outcomes.