IN its efforts to make mental health-care services accessible to its employees and more people, Century Properties Group (CPG) has partnered with the mental wellness organization Shelter from the Storm, Inc. (SFTS) to open a therapy clinic in CPG’s outpatient medical facility Centuria Medical in Century City, Makati.
The initiative is under CPG’s corporate social responsibility programs that aims to give a person’s psychological, emotional, and social well-being of equal importance as physical health, especially in light of pandemic-induced challenges.
As part of the agreement, CPG is providing SFTS free clinic spaces for three years including dues to expand its psycho-social health and resiliency programs in these trying times. SFTS for its part will provide for all CPG employees and their immediate family members with free mental health consultation or assessment sessions, plus free quarterly seminars covering a range of topics on mental well-being.
CPG Managing Director Jose Carlo R. Antonio, who is co-heading the initiative with CPG Vice Chairman John Victor R. Antonio, said the company chose to advocate for mental healthcare as it is often a neglected aspect of wellbeing. “Most of us focus on physical health, preventing Covid, and financial health. Although these are all important, a stronger mental health is also a core component of well-being. By focusing on mental health, one can better manage one’s physical health and financial issues.”
SFTS Executive Director Cenen Corpus agrees that mental health and behavioral health care are much overlooked and under-appreciated advocacies in the country. “We want to lift up the people behind CPG and the Antonio Family who took upon the challenge to dive into this advocacy. Mental health has a far longer-term effect and consequences for individuals in our workplace, our community and society as a whole. Our desire is to help those with acute and chronic mental health conditions, for our friends and loved ones who are suffering.
“We’re committed to push to the fore the discussion on the challenges of individual family health care, family mental wellness and work-life balance particularly. Certainly, being situated in Centuria Medical will enhance access for people and CPG employees. This collaboration will be a shelter form the brewing and lingering mental health storm challenging all of us,” he said.