PLDT, Smart and Catholic Church partner for digital and mental wellness advocacy

PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have launched a meaningful partnership under its Digital health and wellness banner program Better Today PH with the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Youth and university-based Psychology Center, Kauban—facilitating community-based digital and mental health programs reaching Cebu’s various grassroots communities.

Over 20 youth leaders were trained by psychology professors and mental healthcare professionals on the basics of Psychological First Aid (PFA). The end-goal of the program is to upskill the youth leaders on PFA and cascade it to the Archdiocese’s different districts.

“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 on mental healthcare, but also create a wider network of PFA responders who would soon help disaster or trauma affected children, adolescents, adults, and families who are in need of immediate help.

“Through this partnership, we can better see the community from a wider perspective which would unite us and enable us to plan for a wider help for the people in our communities,” said Rev. Fr. Andrei Ventanilla, Director of the Archdiocese of Cebu’s Commission on Youth.

PLDT and Smart have also shared tips on Cyber Wellness especially equipping the participants 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.