mWell: Mind Healthcare For Every Filipino

In response to mental health issues affecting millions of Filipinos, mWell, the digital healthcare arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, further strengthens its holistic health and wellness platform with affordable mind health services.

Bridging the gap in mental healthcare: mWell Head of Operations Lorraine Macapagal led the unveiling of the Mind Health Score feature at themWell Unboxed event. I Photo: mWell

Following the launch of the Mind Health Score and self-guided modules in May, mWell now offers sessions with certified mind health coaches for as low as ₱499. As the only Philippine health and wellness app available globally, mWell provides mind health support to students, members of the workforce, and Overseas Filipino Workers.

mWell Chairman and MPIC Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan says, “mWell aims to transcend geographic boundaries and provide holistic wellness to our countrymen. Mental wellness is an important part of this. It helps keep us productive and empowers us to make the most out of our lives. We look forward to helping even more Filipinos take control of their health wherever they may be.”

“Mind health is just as important as physical health. As an advocate of holistic health, mWell is here to help those who are on a journey toward enhancing emotional well-being through our Mind Health Score and self-guided modules. At the same time, we have made it affordable and accessible to be in a digital safe space with mind health experts. By becoming healthier in mind and body, Filipinos can better provide for their families, help the economy, and contribute to uplifting the country and the world,” said mWell CEO and President and MPIC Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer Chaye Cabal-Revilla.

Empowering Students, OFWs, and Members of the Workforce with Digital Mind Health Tools

Recent reports indicate an urgent need for more guidance counselors to support the mental health needs of students, with over 5,000 vacancies that will take 14 years to fill. To address this need, mWell empowers students to enhance their well-being and improve academic performance using the app’s Mind Health feature.

An exclusive offering from mWell, the Mind Health Score is a personal compass for a self-guided journey toward enhancing emotional, social, and cognitive well-being.

Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Well-being Index, this feature provides insights into one’s current state of mind.

Self-guided modules help boost self-awareness and foster empowerment, hope, and positivity through evidence-based techniques. It allows mWell users to learn more about ways to relax, reduce stress, and improve overall emotional balance at their own pace.

Through campus tours, mWell promotes holistic wellness programs to help students reduce the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress using their phones—a tool that has become an integral part of their daily lives.

Recognizing the mental health needs of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) due to isolation, homesickness, and discrimination, mWell has partnered with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Ding.com, and PLDT Global to make Mind Health services accessible worldwide.

This initiative ensures that OFWs can connect with Filipino mind health coaches and counselors who speak their language. Mind Health features and services on the app can help migrant workers manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges while they are away from home.

In support of corporate wellness, mWell works with various companies to create customized programs promoting holistic health for increased productivity in the workplace.

The Mind Health features equip members of the workforce with tools to address stress and anxiety, thereby enhancing overall work performance.

Mind Health Issues Affect More Filipinos

Mental health continues to be a sensitive issue in the Philippines, and the stigma associated with it has led many to endure in silence. The Department of Health (DOH) reports that at least 3.6 million Filipinos suffer from mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.

The Philippine Mental Health Association said there is less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos. Access to mental health services remains limited due to the high cost of professional fees, ranging from ₱1,000 to ₱4,500 per session.

Mind Healthsavers: Affordable, Accessible Professional Counseling

To address the lack of access to mental health experts, mWell enables Filipinos to easily consult with certified mind health coaches and psychologists using the app.

It has recently onboarded a team of experts from Mental Health Hour Manila. In partnership with the group, mWell introduces Mind Healthsavers—an exclusive package offering 30-minute video sessions with certified mind health coaches for as low as ₱499.

The collaboration allows coaches, who are located across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao and speak various dialects, such as Ilocano and Bisaya, to provide support and a listening ear without judgment in a fully confidential session.

Mind health coaches can refer app users who require additional expertise to psychiatrists for specialized treatment.

“In today’s world, while conversations about mental illness are growing, we must also create safe spaces that truly listen to those in need. Mental Health Hour Manila is committed to this mission, establishing support groups and one-on-one listening sessions. And with our partnership with mWell, we are expanding our reach to the most remote areas nationwide and even abroad—from adolescents to the elderly. Our goal is to bridge the gap between mental illness and support, break down the stigma, and empower individuals to be self-sufficient. We are grateful to God for making this possible through our collaboration with mWell,” says Arianne Alvarez, Co-founder and President of Mental Health Hour Manila.

To complement the Mind Health offer, the mWellness Score provides an overall physical health score daily. This allows app users to monitor physical activity, step count, and sleep for long-term health.

With its gamification feature, app users may join wellness challenges, check their rank on the leaderboard, and monitor their progress. The mWellness Score works best when paired with wearables like the mWell Watch and Rings.