Source:https://www.manilastandard.net/business/314253297/future-of-mental-health-now-in-ph.html

There has been an increased focus on mental health during the pandemic, but many of those who feel anxious and depressed may not have the mental health solutions within their reach.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 6 million Filipinos are suffering from depression and anxiety. Mental health conditions are costing the country P68.9 billion, which includes loss of workforce and reduced productivity.

The top three barriers for Filipinos seeking mental health support are the fear of social stigma attached to mental illness, the inaccessibility of services and financial constraints of availing the services.

Analytics firm Gallup in its “State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report” says workers in the Philippines are among the most stressed out in the world.

Filipino culture attached social stigma on mental illnesses and consider it as a reflection on the person’s character, prompting most to suffer in silence and not seek help. Canadian wellness company Healthy Mind Solutions seeks to break this stigma by providing companies with mental health solutions and services that are effective, confidential, convenient, research-based, and affordable.

Its mental health platform MindWoRX is revolutionary, game-changing, and is considered the future of mental health in the Philippines.

HMS is launching MindWoRx in the country. It is a 100-percent web-based online mental health platform for companies looking to assist their employees overcome anxiety and depression and help them handle the day-to-day stress and pressures at work and at home.

MindwoRx is an innovative and self-guided behavior therapy platform with over 150,000 users globally using the Cognitive Behavior Therapy approach. The platform includes a web-based Anxiety and Depression Assessment Test, online Mental Recovery and Resiliency Courses and a Community Support Forum monitored by licensed therapists.

It is backed by over 15 years of peer-reviewed clinical research supporting its efficacy and is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act of Canada, and the Mental Health Act of the Philippines.

“Human resources professionals are faced with ever-increasing mental health challenges from their workforce. HR practitioners are looking for a preventative and innovative solution that will not only help manage the mental health issues of their employees but also provide them with tools that will help them to become more mentally resilient. HMS has the solution, “says HMS founder and chief executive Richard Caballero.

“One company that acknowledges the importance of mental fitness is Medicareplus, one of the leading HMOs in the country. They recently signed up a strategic partnership with HMS to offer MindWoRx to their plan holders,” says Caballero.

MindWoRx has anonymous, self-guided assessment and behavior therapy courses to assist in mental recovery and strengthen the mental resilience of employees. It is confidential and available 24/7 with an annual license fee that provides them unlimited use for a full year at the same cost as a therapy session.

The Mental Resiliency Courses deal with issues on relationships, resolving disputes, shyness and sensitivity, role transitions and grief and loss. With its suite of research-based programs, employees with strong mental well-being can better adapt to life-changing events, cope with turbulent times, handle the work pressures and quickly bounce back from hardships and tragedies.

Management will benefit from MindWoRx as it decreases incidences of mental health related sick days or family emergency reasons for absences. Employees are less likely to leave the company and therefore decrease HR turnover.

Caballero and his HMS partners have a collective experience of 100+ years in developing global businesses within the Asia-Pacific and North American regions.

A successful techprenuer, Caballero has an extensive background in managing global technology companies and leading award-winning multinational teams in over 50 countries.

His more than 25 years of experience in various industries including sales, marketing, finance, product management and business development for global tech companies have contributed to the launching of HMS.

“HMS is a forward-thinking company and the only one in the market that addresses the issues of mental health through a unique self-managed platform that is scalable, effective and customized to the needs of Filipinos. Our products and services are also designed to make it affordable to the average Filipino, and part of our advocacy is to donate licenses to those who can’t afford them,” Caballero says.

“Our mission is to make HMS accessible to as many Filipino workers as possible. When employees are mentally fit, they are happier and more productive both at their workplace and at home,” he says.