The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Macau has rolled out an app to monitor and improve the mental well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers, especially amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
With the description “tulong sa low mood at stress,” Kumusta Kabayan is an app-based health monitoring system developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the help of researchers from universities and social organizations in order to help populations with limited access to mental health services.
“Like other demographic groups, overseas Filipino workers in Macau have also experienced physical or mental health challenges caused by uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Manila Bulletin quoted POLO Macau as saying.
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The app, which has been funded by the Macao Government and charity outreach organization Caritas Macau, has also been translated to different languages, including Filipino and Chinese. POLO said it has been proven useful in helping OFWs cope with stress and mental challenges despite being in beta stage.
POLO assured that the app followed the guidelines of WHO, and that it is not intended to be a replacement for treatment or any sort of medical intervention.
The app is expected to be rolled out in other countries in the future, but now, it is only accessible to OFWs in Macau.
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