[UPDATED: FEBRUARY 17, 2022]

Are you in the field of psychology, behavioral science, programming, software engineering, and other related fields? Join our research team and help us build mobile mental health apps for Filipinos!  

Our team is looking for one (1) Science Consultant and one (1) Technology Consultant who will work on a part-time and work-from-home basis, in support of the development, design, and launch of two (2) evidence-based mobile applications on mental health and wellbeing for Filipinos!

  The Science Consultant will provide solution-focused, nuanced advice from the perspective of psychology, behavioral science, or related fields. 

  The Technology Consultant will provide their expertise  from the perspective of programming, software engineering or development, computer science, or similar disciplines. 

How do I find out more about the project? 

• You can visit bit.ly/mhphdostresearch for more information!

Are there any qualifications for the position?

• There are separate qualifications needed for the two positions. You can refer to bit.ly/mhphconsultantstor1. 

When is the deadline for applications?

• We will be receiving applications until February 28, 2022.

Where can I submit my application?

• Please send your 1-page cover letter and CV/resume to rdahildahil@mentalhealthph.org  and cc: ronald@diwamentalhealth.com and jpanganiban@mentalhealthph.org. For additional questions, please refer to bit.ly/mhphconsultantstor.

The post Join our research team! first appeared on MentalHealthPH.

The post Join our research team! appeared first on MentalHealthPH.

Kapwa is a menu-based Twitter chatbot, the first of its kind for NGOs in the Philippines. Part of MHPH’s growing initiatives to provide access to mental health support services in the digital space, Kapwa aims to make everyone feel supported, heard, and seen as we continue to adjust and live in the new normal.

A growing need to provide mental health support

The world faced a new mental health challenge when the COVID-19 pandemic resulted to lockdown restrictions to curb the spread of the virus. Almost all of us have been forced to stay at home, affecting our social lives and the support we get from it.
In the first quarter of 2021, the number of calls to the crisis hotlines had increased fourfold, with calls averaging at 1,002 per month. Compared to 1,540 calls recorded from January to March 2020, the rise in number has caused alarm in the mental health community.
According to the National Center for Mental Health, the reasons for most of the calls received were anxiety and depression, stressful life events, interpersonal and mood concerns, and referral services.
This indicates that people are finding ways to address their mental health concerns and gain access to services dedicated to this. The question though is that is there enough access for everyone?

Our move to provide access and how Twitter heeded our call
In MentalHealthPH, we have always advocated for better access to MH services to the Filipinos. In our social media accounts, we receive a lot of inquiries asking for help for their mental health. Because our organization runs solely on volunteers, the messages we receive couldn’t be answered immediately due to high volume. To address this, we started thinking of alternative ways to still provide MH first aid to those who need it.
This is when Twitter came in to help us in our journey. We have conceptualized a way to reply to messages immediately, especially since these messages could be a life-or-death situation.

The Kapwa Chatbot

First of its kind in the NGO space in the Philippines, the Kapwa chatbot is a menu-based chatbot that we’ve developed and will eventually launch on Twitter. As we go along our mental health advocacy journey, this initiative is a huge step forward in addressing the rising call for help, especially with the ongoing pandemic.
Our primary goal is to make struggling people feel that their concerns are being heard and that in emergency situations, they can be directed to mental health services available for them.

Using the Kapwa chatbot is simple. Just send a direct message to us on the Kapwa Twitter account @kapwamh, and Kapwa, our online persona, will guide you to achieve what MH service you need. It can be as simple as Kapwa providing links to meditation videos when you’re feeling stressed to hotlines to call when you are experiencing a mental health emergency. To make it more user-friendly, we’ve also used conversational Filipino as the medium of language, aiming to reach as many Filipinos as we can. Kapwa is intuitive, friendly, and most of all, accessible at all times, allowing us to create a safe space you can rely on for your mental health journey.

Our journey towards being mentally healthy is a long and challenging road, but at the same time sweet and beautiful. With Kapwa on our side, every Filipino can be assured that #MayKaramayKa.

The post Help Is A Click Away With Kapwa Chatbot first appeared on MentalHealthPH.

The post Help Is A Click Away With Kapwa Chatbot appeared first on MentalHealthPH.

The post Help us understand your experience of depression and anxiety, your story matters! first appeared on MentalHealthPH.

The post Help us understand your experience of depression and anxiety, your story matters! appeared first on MentalHealthPH.

[UPDATED: February 3, 2022, 11:00AM]

Calling all app developers!

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 11, 2022!

We are looking for the strategic direction, technical know-how, and accountable commitment of an empathic team. This team will co-create the next-generation mobile platform that brings mental wellbeing into the hands of Filipinos – according to their needs, on their own terms.

We need your expertise to help us build a mentally healthy community! To learn more about the role and the application process. Apply by February 11, 2022!

Learn more about the role and the application process here: #MHPH App Development Team TOR.

The post Calling all app developers – help us build a mental health app! first appeared on MentalHealthPH.

The post Calling all app developers – help us build a mental health app! appeared first on MentalHealthPH.