Published 27 Dec 2024in
The Kaibigan Chat Line provides free, accessible, and youth-friendly mental health support through chat-based peer-to-peer counseling and referrals, contributing to progress on SDG indicator 3.4.2 (Suicide mortality rate) under SDG 3. By promoting mental well-being, early intervention, and psychosocial support, the initiative helps reduce mental health risks and supports young people in navigating challenges, fostering resilience, and preventing mental health crises. The success of the Kaibigan Chat Line is attributed to its peer-to-peer support model, where responders share coping strategies and practical guidance tailored to the challenges of their peers. This relatability fosters trust and encourages young people to seek help without the stigma often associated with mental health issues. The Chat Line operates on Facebook, offering a familiar and accessible platform for youth to connect with trained peers. These youth responders are equipped to provide essential psychosocial support and refer individuals to appropriate services when necessary. The Kaibigan Chat Line’s goal is to protect the rights of Filipino adolescents by ensuring they have access to mental health services, particularly those who are most vulnerable. It aims to improve local service delivery networks and policies in collaboration with local government units. Since 2022, the Kaibigan Chat Line has facilitated 43,600 chats—771 of which were high risk tier 3 cases in need of individualized care and urgent referral. Chats under the tier 1 (universal care or peer support) and tier 2 (referral) cases recorded 3,308 and 16,820 clients, respectively. All of these were made possible with the help of over 144 trained youth responders across the country. In recognition of its outstanding impact, the initiative won the Gold Award at the 2023 Department of Health’s Healthy Pilipinas Awards. The Kaibigan Chat Line continues to play a crucial role in promoting mental well-being and creating a healthier, more resilient Philippines.
2024 SPACE
