Google now instantly shows the NCMH Crisis Hotline on its search to help the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in its service to provide free psychological support.
The Philippines’ first Crisis Hotline (0966-351-4518) is a 24-hour service meant to respond to mental health-related questions. This was launched in 2019 by the Department of Health in partnership with the NCMH. The hotline connects the public to mental health professionals to provide the necessary counseling and proper action for people in need.
“As the pandemic continues to affect people’s mental well-being, we want to help by partnering with the Department of Health’s National Center for Mental Health to connect Filipinos to immediately accessible and reliable information online through Google Search,” stated Bernadette Nacario, Country Director-Philippines, Google. Using suicide-related keywords on Google’s search will immediately bring up NCMH Crisis Hotline, quickly prompting people online to seek professional help.
According to the NCMH data, there was a significant increase in monthly hotline calls last 2020 regarding depression, from 80 calls pre-lockdown to nearly 400, including a monthly average of more than 50 suicide-related matters.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline through the following hotlines: toll-free Luzon-wide landline (1553), Globe/TM (0966-351-4518 and 0917-899-8727), or Smart/Sun/TNT (0908-639-2672).
