Building Resilient Communities BingoPlus Foundation Champions Grassroots Mental Health Support in Cebu and General Santos

BingoPlus Foundation, the social impact arm of DigiPlus, is making a meaningful difference in the lives of Filipinos by taking mental health support directly to the heart of local communities.

In partnership with Paglaum Mental Health Support Group and the Philippine Accessible Disability Services (PADS) Inc., the Foundation has launched an innovative, community-driven mental health campaign aimed at addressing one of the country’s most urgent yet under-discussed public health concerns, accessible and stigma-free mental wellness support.

Despite the Philippine Mental Health Act (R.A. 11036) being in place, millions of Filipinos still struggle to get the help they need. The Department of Health reports that around 3.6 million individuals in the country live with mental, neurological, or substance-use disorders. With fewer than one trained mental health professional per 100,000 people, grassroots communities are often left without critical support.

In Cebu’s Barangay Lahug alone, local units have seen a sharp rise in cases of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, with hotline calls increasing dramatically. Recognizing this gap, BingoPlus Foundation has initiated a two-part training program designed to empower local health workers, educators, and barangay leaders.

The training covered essential topics such as:

• Understanding mental health and psychosocial support
• Learning practical tools like psychological first aid, active listening, and appropriate referral steps
• Adopting culturally sensitive approaches that encourage help-seeking and reduce stigma

For many participants, the training was an eye-opener and a turning point. Analisa Patindol, a health worker from Barangay Tingub, shared, “Before, I didn’t know how to respond to people who were struggling emotionally. Now, I have the confidence to support them and guide them toward the help they need.”

The campaign doesn’t stop at training. The Foundation will also roll out a grassroots mental health awareness caravan, aiming to reach 100 residents per session. These interactive sessions will open up conversations around mental wellness, family support, and breaking the stigma that still surrounds seeking help.

“Mental health is a basic need that’s too often ignored in our communities,” said Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of BingoPlus Foundation. “By giving our local health workers and educators the tools they need, we’re helping create communities that are not only more compassionate but more resilient. This is how we make the promise of the Mental Health Act real and reachable, for every Filipino, in every barangay.”

Cebu and General Santos City were chosen as the first sites due to the high demand for localized mental health initiatives, based on data from partner organizations and consultations with local health offices. Following the success of these pilots, BingoPlus Foundation plans to bring the program to Metro Manila and other high-need areas.

With this campaign, BingoPlus Foundation is doing more than spreading awareness. It is building the frontline of mental health care, right where it’s needed most, in families, schools, and barangays across the Philippines.