PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. organized a psychological first aid (PFA) training for over 50 scholars and faculty of Passerelles Numériques Philippines (PNPh) recently.
The training session was facilitated by millennial psychologist Riyan Portuguez in-person at Smart’s Regional Office in Cebu.
“At PLDT and Smart, we are committed to using our resources and reach to drive meaningful change. By equipping the youth and educators with crucial PFA skills, we hope to de-stigmatize conversations around mental health while building more empathetic and resilient digital communities in the Philippines,” Marylou Gocotano, PLDT and Smart Stakeholder Management Visayas Relations head, said in a press release March 6.
PNPh is a Cebu-based nonprofit organization that provides scholarships in IT-related fields to select youth, who come from underprivileged backgrounds.
“On behalf of PNPh and our country representative, Luchi Flores, we thank PLDT and Smart for this meaningful partnership that focuses on promoting mental health awareness among our scholars,” Alreen Omang, PNPh Partnerships and External Relations officer, said.
“Through this psychological first aid training, our scholars gained a deeper understanding of how they can extend help to their friends, family members, or fellow scholars, who are dealing with mental health-related concerns, making our community a safe space for all,” Omang added.
A fundamental part of the PLDT Group’s advocacy to promote and encourage digital wellness, the PFA training equipped the student-scholars and faculty members with skills to provide initial support to peers experiencing emotional distress.
It also upskilled participants with practical stress management, referral techniques, and various techniques to provide initial psychological support.
The training is part of the Group’s sustained digital wellness campaign, focused on responsible online behavior and emotional resilience. ||
