Minding your digital health and mental wellness
The Philippines largest fully integrated telco company, PLDT Inc., together with its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc., launched a meaningful partnership with the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Youth and the University of San Carlos Kauban Psychological Center.
Kauban is a mental health support group in Cebu City organized in 2017. It is a channel of hope and a safe refuge towards self-efficacy and maximum psychological functioning. The group works on increasing awareness on the significance of mental health, providing free psychological support to people manifesting symptoms of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideas. They also aim to empower people with mental health concerns, helping them gain control over themselves and their lives.
The Church and telco collaboration falls under the latter’s digital health and wellness banner program Better Today PH. The goal is to facilitate community-based programs to reach Cebu’s various grassroots communities. Recently, over 20 youth leaders were trained by psychology professors and mental healthcare professionals on the basics of Psychological First Aid (PFA).
The launch in mid-October marked the start of a series of mental health-related training, in cooperation with the Youth Frontiers Committee of the different parishes in the archdiocese. The end goal is to be able to build localized mental health care communities by mobilizing trained mental health care responders and volunteers.
“PLDT and Smart’s valuable partnership with the church and well-respected psychology professionals will help invite more communities to mind their digital health and mental wellness. We are forwarding this advocacy through our services that champion our customers’ welfare,” said Marylou Gocotano, head of Visayas Relations under Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.
This initiative will not only help end the stigma surrounding mental healthcare, but also create a wider network of PFA responders who will soon help disaster- or trauma-affected children, adolescents, adults and families in need of immediate assistance.
“Through this partnership, we can better see the community from a wider perspective, which will unite us and enable us to plan for wider help for the people in our communities,” said Rev. Fr. Andrei Ventanilla, director of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Youth.
Philippine STAR: What is the statistical trigger for this initiative? Was there an increase in psychological or mental health issues due to the increased role of digital technology in our lives?
FR. Andrei Ventanilla: I think the increased role of digital technology — although very helpful — can also add to the anxiety of many young people because of triggering ads, cyberbullying and even unfounded (fake) news.
How is the Church enhancing its approach to reach out and influence the youth in the medium they are adept with as a generation?
First, the Church tries to get along with digital technology. Second, she sends her ministers to enroll in the helping professions such as psychology, counseling, life-coaching, etc. in order to be of help, not just to the young, but to the society at large. Third, she promotes advocacies like these to help especially those who are in the periphery.
How can the layperson help in mitigating the further deterioration of mental health in an era of cancel mentality, online bullying, and other negative online practices?
A layperson, in his/her own field of expertise, talents and skills, can start from his/her families, relatives, friends, and even workplace. They can contact advocates for help and allow themselves to be trained as well.
PLDT and Smart have also shared tips on Cyber Wellness, especially equipping the participants with knowledge on how to combat “phishing attacks” that may incite fear and anxiety among victims.
Better Today is a vital part of PLDT and Smart’s ongoing commitment to help the Philippines contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly UNSDG #3 that stands for good health and well-being, and UNSDG #16 that stands against abuse, violence, and exploitation of children.
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