Newsletter: Bridging the Gap: Why Accessible ADHD Training Has Never Been More Critical

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In classrooms, boardrooms, and homes across Australia, a silent shift is underway. The recent surge in student disability claims—particularly those related to socio-emotional conditions like ADHD—has placed a glaring spotlight on a system struggling to keep pace. As The Australian recently highlighted, educators are on the front lines, yet many lack the specialised training to effectively support neurodivergent students.

Newsletter: Quezon City's emergency responders receive mental health support from PLDT and Smart

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QC DRRMO Head Bianca Perez-Diamante shares the importance of the partnership with PLDT and Smart to provide mental health support to frontliners and emergency responders.

In times of crisis and emergency, Quezon City’s frontliners keep communities safe and protected. But who ensures that these frontliners remain strong, supported, and ready when called upon to serve?  PLDT and Smart, in partnership with the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), recently conducted a holistic stress management workshop for the emergency response frontliners of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QC DRRMO) and Quezon City Citizens Services Department (CSD). The initiative reinforces a shared commitment to strengthening resilience and safeguarding the mental health of those on the frontlines of crisis response. This is part of the broader initiative of PLDT and Smart through its #KonektedForResilience advocacy program that focuses on community resilience and disaster preparedness.

Newsletter: MindLink Philippines: Indonesia’s Mental Health Community Reaches a New Region

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MindLink Philippines officially announces its launch as a digital mental health support platform operating under Berbagi Cerita Indonesia (BCI), an Indonesia-based online mental health service provider known for its commitment to accessible and ethical psychological support. The launch marks BCI’s expansion into the Philippines, strengthening its mission to widen access to mental health support across Southeast Asia.

Newsletter: Five Tips to Enhance Focus, Mood and Mental Resilience

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Ever feel like your brain is constantly buzzing with information? Our brain is the body's most vital asset, a powerhouse that’s always active, absorbing and adapting. From learning and remembering to making decisions and solving problems, the brain tackles a constant enormous stream of information every single day.  

Newsletter: PLDT, Smart reinforce mental health well-being of Passerelles Numériques PH’s scholars and faculty

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PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) organized a psychological first aid (PFA) training for over 50 scholars and faculty of Passerelles Numériques Philippines (PNPh). The training session was facilitated by millennial psychologist Riyan Portuguez in-person at Smart’s Regional Office in Cebu.

Newsletter: PLDT Group expands mental health awareness to indigenous communities

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The Ayta women brainstorm for their presentation on a situational role-playing session as part of the Psychological First Aid training.

Pastor Benny Capuno, a tribal leader in Porac, Pampanga, knows all too well the great distress his Ayta community goes through when an earthquake strikes. In April 2019, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake devastated Porac, affecting hundreds and killing 10, five of whom were from the Ayta community. For Capuno, it reminded him and the community of the fragility of life, especially as when the same town was devastated by the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption.  It also reminded him of the mental well-being of those who survived.

Newsletter: PLDT, Smart scale 45M reach for its #BetterToday mental health program

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Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union Board Member Joy Ortega shares the goals of the Psychological First Aid Program to encourage them to become first-aid volunteers who will help address the needs of distressed individuals. 

PLDT and Smart forge ahead in leveraging technology to promote sound mental health for all. In 2023, PLDT and Smart recorded a reach of over 45 million for its #BetterToday program, bridging the digital divide, as it creates safe, happy, and inclusive spaces.

NEWSLETTER: Quirino promotes mental health awareness through PLDT and Smart’s #BetterToday program

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Around 800 students and government employees join the Mental Health Awareness Summit dubbed as “Better Today Conversations”, which is a collaborative initiative between the Provincial Government of Quirino and PLDT and Smart.

In partnership with PLDT and Smart, the Provincial Government of Quirino recently held a mental health awareness summit with students and government employees from the province of Quirino.  Advocating mental health awareness in communities, PLDT Group featured mental health professionals, including Riyan Portuguez (“Your Millennial Psychologist”), doctor and podcaster Dr. Gia Sison, and popular content creator Macoy Dubs.

Newsletter: Football for Humanity para-athletes share what inspires them to become #BetterToday

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Community is important in the growth of a person. Like what writer, educator, and humanitarian Helen Keller said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” This is particularly true for para-athletes, whose respective communities have been their support as they strive to become better each day.

Newsletter: Champion obstacle course para athletes on what made them #BetterToday

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For Adaptive National Athlete of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) Kent Tumangan, representing the country in this sport brought back his self-confidence and discipline. The 27-year-old obstacle course racer and dragon boat paddler found his passion in sports after losing a leg to cancer.

Newsletter: Seniors in Cebu join PLDT, Smart and PNPh’s Digital Literacy and Mental Health Awareness Training

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PLDT Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have partnered with the local government of Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, and Passerelles numériques Philippines (PNPh) in upskilling over 200 senior citizens on basic smartphone usage, internet safety, and mental health awareness.

 

Newsletter: PLDT, Smart empower Passerelles numériques PH student-scholars through mental health awareness talks

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Student-scholars of with Passerelles numériques Philippines (PNPh) join the three-part mental health talk series dubbed as “Better Today Conversations”.

PLDT and Smart, through their Better Today program, partnered with Passerelles numériques Philippines (PNPh) to launch a three-part mental health awareness conversations series for the benefit of the student-scholars of PNPh. 

Newsletter: More youth join PLDT, Smart’s mental health awareness campaign

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In celebration of the National Mental Health Awareness Month, PLDT and Smart, through the Better Today program, featured advocates in a conversation episode, including Mark Averilla or “Macoy Dubs”, Riyan Portuguez or “Your Millennial Psychologist”, Ali Sangalang of Linya-Linya, and General Santos Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President John Demdam.

 

Newsletter: Grassroots esports teams play to help feed the hungry, break stigma on mental health

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Who would have thought that a mobile game tournament could be an opportunity to change lives?

 

For GameLab and Redlist, winning the recent GIGA Arena Street League, an esports tournament powered by Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) allowed them not only to showcase their skills in Mobile Legends, but also to extend help to those in need.

 

Newsletter: PLDT, Smart strengthen Siargao’s community-based mental health program with Psychological First Aid training

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Riyan Portuguez, more popularly known as “Your Millennial Psychologist”, leads the Psychological First Aid training of the volunteer participants from General Luna, Surigao del Norte.

More than a year after Typhoon Odette ravaged the homes of Siargao’s residents, the island has since been on a path towards rehabilitation and recovery. To strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of Siargao residents, the local government of the Municipality of General Luna in Surigao del Norte recently partnered with PLDT and Smart to launch its community-based mental health program through the Psychological First Aid (PFA) training.  

 

Newsletter: PLDT and Smart scale up mental wellness in communities, reaching 12M

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With the goal of ushering transformative change within communities, PLDT and Smart, through the Better Today PH (Better Today) program, seek to promote wellness, safe spaces, and changemaking for children and the youth in the digital world.

 

Newsletter: Bulakeños rally around PLDT, Smart's digital wellness movement in mental health summit

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PLDT and Smart recently supported San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan’s mental health summit, a Better Today conversations on digital wellness. It was attended by over 230 youth participants from various universities, including Bulacan State University and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

 

Newsletter: PH Women’s Football team captain Tahnai Annis advocates “me time”, staying grounded

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As the Philippine National Women’s Football team continue to prepare for their stint in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, team captain Tahnai Annis joined the #BetterToday “Power Move Project” conversations on mental resilience and her love for football.

Newsletter: PLDT, Smart, SK Federation Butuan break stigma, encouraging youth mental health conversations

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(Photo from SK Federation Butuan) PLDT, Smart and SK Federation Butuan organize a mental health awareness seminar for Butuanon youth to normalize conversations on mental health.

PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently partnered with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Butuan City, supporting their Mental Health Awareness Seminar. Through PLDT and Smart’s Better Today program, the companies invited longtime mental health co-champion Riyan Portuguez, more popularly known as “Your Millennial Psychologist”, to engage the youth in discussing "The Science of Self-care”. 

Newsletter: “Ignore the noise, bounce back stronger,” advise PLDT High Speed Hitters on #Better Today

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PLDT High Speed Hitters middle blockers Mika Reyes and Jessey De Leon arrived at the gym in their practice uniform, smiling and energetic despite the midday heat to sit down for a conversation on mental health and sports for #BetterToday’s Power Move Project.