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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'We listen, we care': DSWD launches online mental, psychosocial support program

'We listen, we care': DSWD launches online mental, psychosocial support program

Published May 5, 2021 08:20 pm

Are you in need of mental and psychosocial support? No need to worry, because the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ready to help you.

The DSWD launched on April 30 the WISUPPORT project to provide such services to individuals and families affected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other crisis situations.

WISUPPORT (DSWD)

“The constant worry and fear of being infected by the virus and economic concerns of providing for their families, coupled with family conflicts and disasters amid the pandemic have brought anxiety, mental, and emotional distress to a lot of people. Hence, as the lead agency in social protection, and as part of the DSWD’s COVID-19 response and recovery plan, the Department sought more accessible ways for the provision of psychosocial support to Filipinos affected by the pandemic,” DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista said in his message during the launch.

The pilot areas for the WiSUPPORT or the “Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Individuals and Families Affected by COVID-19 and other Crisis Situations” are the National Capital Region (NCR), Central Visayas, and Caraga.

"As a social technology innovation, WiSUPPORT will use online platforms such as electronic mail, web portal, DSWD WiServ, telephone, and mobile application to provide the public with easy access to various communication tools to talk with the DSWD WiSUPPORT service providers,” the DSWD said.

Among those who stand to benefit from WiSUPPORT are Overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Distress, children in need of special protection (CNSP), senior citizens, women in especially difficult circumstances (WEDC), persons with disability (PWDs), family heads and other needy adults (FHONA), and other individuals and families in distress.

The DSWD assured the public that learning and development activities for service providers will also be conducted to ensure proper management of cases.

"For emergency cases needing immediate attention, clients will be assisted to be referred to psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health institutions who are members of the referral network such as the Department of Health (DOH) and National Center for Mental Health (NCMH),” it said.

"Through the help of the Mental Health AWhereness PH mapping, integrated in the WiSUPPORT platforms, clients and service providers may also find agencies providing mental health services nearby,” it added.

The DSWD urged clients in the pilot areas from NCR, Central Visayas, and Caraga to access the services of WiSUPPORT through the following:

Call Hotlines: 0947-482-2864 (Smart); 0916-247-1194 (Globe)

Text Hotline: 0918-912-2813

Email: [email protected]

Website: ekwentomo.dswd.gov.ph

Google Play Store application: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cudavasol.wisupport

"The DSWD pledged to continue to coordinate with appropriate mental health providers and organizations to become more responsive to the needs of the population, especially during the ongoing health crisis.”

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