TO provide the public with easy access to various communication tools for psychosocial support amid the pandemic, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 is implementing the “Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Individuals and Families Affected by Covid-19 and other Crisis Situations” or the (WiSupport).

Central Visayas is among the pilot areas for the implementation of WiSupport along with the National Capital Region and the Caraga Region.

Leah Quintana, DSWD 7 information officer, said the WiSupport was virtually launched in April 2021.

The WiSupport aims to provide psychosocial support primarily to overseas Filipinos in distress, children in need of special protection, senior citizens, women in especially difficult circumstances, persons with disability, family heads and other needy adults and other individuals and families in distress.

WiSupport uses online platforms such as electronic mail, web portal, DSWD WiServ, telephone and mobile application to help connect the public to the DSWD WiSupport service providers.

The DSWD 7 said service providers underwent learning and development activities to ensure proper management of cases.

Clients can access the WiSupport services via hotline numbers (Smart: 0999-849-9733, Globe: 0945-712-3718), via email at wisupport@dswd.gov.ph, through the website ekwentomo.dswd.gov.ph and via Google Play Store application “WiSupport.”

The DSWD 7, however, said for emergency cases needing immediate attention, the clients will be referred to psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health institutions which are members of the referral network. These include the Department of Health and the National Center for Mental Health.

During the launching, DSWD Sec. Rolando Joselito Bautista emphasized that the WiSupport is among the department’s measures to ensure that the general state of mental well-being of the public is still prioritized amid the pandemic which brought anxiety, mental and emotional distress to many.