Cebuana Lhuillier Reinforces Mental Health Support through ₱10-Million MindCare Coverage for NCMH

Tweet

Cebuana Lhuillier, through its insurance arm Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers, Inc. (CLIB), is reinforcing its commitment to championing mental health and financial inclusion with the turnover of ₱10 million worth of insurance coverage under its MindCare initiative to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).The insurance coverage will be distributed nationwide, providing accessible protection to individuals and communities in need of mental health support.

Atty. Isagani Acosta (5th from right), General Manager of Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Brokers (CLIB), leads the turnover of ₱10 million worth of insurance coverage under Cebuana Lhuillier’s MindCare Program to National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Executive Committee, headed by Dr. Noel V. Reyes (9th from left), Medical Center Chief II.

The initiative aligns with the celebration of World Mental Health Day and reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to address the growing need for mental health awareness and accessible protection.

“Through MindCare, we are extending our advocacy of financial inclusion to encompass mental health,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier. “We believe that empowerment is achieved when Filipinos are both financially secure and emotionally resilient. By partnering with the NCMH, we aim to make mental health protection more accessible to all Filipinos, wherever they may be.”

Developed by CLIB, MindCare is an innovative insurance product designed to provide coverage for mental health consultations and treatments. It demonstrates Cebuana Lhuillier’s broader commitment to developing inclusive financial solutions that address relevant social concerns and promote the overall well-being of Filipinos.

According to Atty. Isagani Acosta, General Manager of CLIB, MindCare exemplifies the company’s dedication to making insurance more inclusive and responsive. “Our objective at CLIB is to offer innovative insurance products that meet the evolving needs of our clients. MindCare recognizes the importance of mental health as a key component of a person’s well-being and ensures that support is available to those who need it most,” he said.

The ₱10-million coverage turnover to the NCMH highlights the value of collaboration between the public and private sectors in promoting mental health. As the country’s primary institution for mental health care, NCMH will oversee the nationwide distribution of the insurance coverage, allowing more individuals to benefit from essential mental health services.

Dr. Noel Reyes, Medical Chief of the NCMH, expressed appreciation for the partnership, stating, “We are grateful for Cebuana Lhuillier’s support and commitment to mental health. Partnerships like this help strengthen our capacity to reach more Filipinos and promote greater understanding and acceptance of mental health issues. This initiative is a meaningful step toward a more compassionate and supportive society.”

Through initiatives such as MindCare, Cebuana Lhuillier continues to lead in providing innovative and inclusive insurance solutions. The company remains steadfast in its mission to empower every Filipino with access to financial protection and mental wellness resources that contribute to a stronger, more resilient nation.

Upcoming 27th PR Congress Puts Spotlight on Mental Health in the Workplace

Tweet

Makati, Philippines – Mental health is the third most common disability in the country, with about 6 million Filipinos living with depression and/or anxiety, according to WHO. Lack of data fails to present an accurate and complete picture of the status of mental health in the Philippines today, but previous studies by WHO, the Philippine Statistics Office and other bodies indicate mental health is a serious – and growing – concern.

The pandemic is further aggravating the anxiety of many Filipinos already worried about their livelihood and uncertain about the future

As the pandemic continues to unsettle the country, constricting the economy, causing deaths and job losses, disrupting education and work, and painting an even more uncertain future for Filipinos, the number of people with anxiety and other similar mental health concerns is estimated to have risen further. The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) reported a marked increase in calls received during the pandemic than before, with the monthly average from March to May last year more than double the monthly average from May 2019 to February 2020 or before the pandemic. Calls received by the NCMH related to suicide likewise spiked.

The upcoming 27th National Public Relations Congress, an annual gathering of communication practitioners from across the different industries and sectors of society, will tackle this pressing matter this February 17 to 19. Mental health in the workplace, in particular, will be a hot topic scheduled for the third day, which will be dedicated to deep diving into narratives punctuating many of today’s business actions and discussions, especially on social media, such as the environment, equality, diversity and leadership.

Jane Fordham, a strategic people consultant with two decades of experience in agencies and the creative industries, will share her insights on how to ensure mental health in the workplace, noting how the PR industry is often perceived as very stressful. The discussion will try to look into ways of detecting mental health needs among office and work team members, how organizations and businesses can create an atmosphere of positivity and collaboration in the workplace, and what measures or programs should be in place to assist team members with mental health needs.

Themed Transcend, the 27th National PR Congress hopes to enjoin communication practitioners to work more closely together to contribute to addressing social issues and make a lasting impact on the nation in line with PRSP’s 2020 theme of PR for Good. The annual conference will likewise explore the outlook for the PR industry as it rebounds from the setbacks resulting from the pandemic and gears up for the challenges and opportunities in this new decade.

PRSP President Norman Agatep, APR, said: “As we revisit our business plans and strategies for this new year and decade, we must also look into how we can better work with the society to address concerns that impact not just businesses and the economy but the whole nation. That is part of our commitment as the industry storytellers.”

Ana Pista, PRSP vice president for external affairs and Congress chair, added: “As in previous congresses, we want this annual conference to be a platform for meaningful discussions and exploring solutions to our problems as an industry and nation. Mental health is a serious matter, one of many issues we need to prioritize, and we hope that through the Congress we can help start the discussion on how to ensure we have the right programs in place for our people.”

For more information about the 27th National Public Relations Congress, visit the event website or Facebook page or contact Lessa Azcarraga at lessa.azcarraga@ardent.com.ph.