MANILA, Philippines — PhilhealthCare Inc. or PhilCare is working with the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) to make expert-backed mental wellness programs accessible to everyone, especially students and the younger generation.
The health maintenance organization said the partnership comes at a critical time when, according to a recent study, an estimated 7 million to 12.5 million Filipinos have been diagnosed with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
PhilCare said in a statement the number of reported cases, already growing by 2 percent every year, does not even capture the entire picture, as many cases are still unreported or remain undiagnosed. Citing the study, the HMO added that a big part of this rise comes from the youth sector, especially those aged 15 to 19.
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“We firmly believe that mental wellness is a fundamental human right, not a luxury reserved for a few,” said Jaeger Tanco, president and CEO of PhilCare.
“We are bringing the country’s leading mental health experts to people who need them most, no matter where they are,” Tanco said. “Our goal is to help Filipinos take charge of their mental health journey and remind them that they are not alone.”
Tech-enabled platforms
Formerly known as PhilamCare, Philcare is a member of the Philippines First Insurance Group. Through the partnership with UP-PGH, the HMO intends to integrate the hospital’s mental health expertise into its tech-enabled platforms Mindscapes and HeyPhil 2.0. The aim is to expand expert care beyond hospital walls and right into the patient’s home.
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HeyPhil 2.0 enables one to access PhilCare’s comprehensive health services, including teleconsultations with qualified mental health professionals, with just a few clicks.
Mindscapes is PhilCare’s mental wellness program that offers Filipinos an accessible, safe, and convenient place to manage emotions and improve well-being through digital tools and educational resources.
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