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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Here's how social media can be a safe mental health space for women

Here's how social media can be a safe mental health space for women

Published Mar 8, 2023 12:52 pm
In celebration of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, the Philippine Commission on Women together with UN Women, held a discussion on how social media platforms can be a safe mental health space for women.
(PIXABAY)
In a forum titled, “Breaking the Code: Equality for All through Technology and Innovation,” athlete Hali Wong said that building a boundary from those who critique or bring distress to one’s mental health can help in achieving peace of mind. She also shed light on how the Covid-19 pandemic forced people to introspect and how it sparked the inspiration to have open discussions about the matter. According to Wong, talks about mental health boomed positively because of the lockdown and restrictions implemented due to the pandemic. It also made people intentionally check others’ well-being online, which then created a positive domino effect of reaching out and knowing other people’s mental health status. Meanwhile, Stephanie Naval, founder of Empath PH, noted that social media can also be detrimental as it makes people compare themselves with others. She encouraged women, as well as men, to utilize the “mute” button on social media platforms if they want to become intentional with what they want to consume in their online feeds. Having a specific time slot on when to use social media is also good for mental health. Empath PH is a non-government organization that provides mental healthcare solutions and services through digital technology. Moreover, Bing Fortin from the Babaeng BiyaHero program advised that they are offering free mental health support, particularly for women migrants. The pandemic indeed opened up the use of digital technology in mental health, and their group makes sure to provide a safe space for women who call them, she said. Advice on how to solve their problems and words of encouragement are just some of the services that their group offers.
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