The MCS Foundation invests $452,000 in active projects with 10 entities, and launches a public service campaign to address mental health
The MCS Foundation joins with ASSMCA and FHC de Puerto Rico to launch the campaign in response to the rise in mental health cases
San Juan, Puerto Rico – July 13, 2021. In an effort to address the pandemic’s widespread effects on the island’s mental health, the MCS Foundation has teamed up with Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Contra la Adicción (ASSMCA) and mental healthcare provider FHC de Puerto Rico to launch the public service campaign Escondida, alluding to hidden problems as the result of the pandemic. This effort, in addition to an investment in the form of grants related to mental health made by the MCS Foundation, for a total of $452,000 in active projects involving 10 non-profit entities, with these organizations also part of the public service campaign.
This public service campaign comes in the face of an alarming increase in cases of people with symptoms such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. In just one year, the phone lines managed by Programa de Asistencia Sicosocial (PAS) registered an increase of 752,351 calls from people requesting emotional support. Most of these calls were from the elderly.
The campaign aims to raise awareness regarding emotional health care, and provide the necessary tools and support for Puerto Rico’s elderly population. It consists of an educational phase, and integrates phone number 1.855.490.5050, so that those who need assistance can find a helping hand to guide them in the process of managing their emotions. Also, website mcs-foundation.org/saludmental allows them to access a dozen Puerto Rican non-profit entities that, through programs subsidized by the MCS Foundation, provide services to address mental and emotional health.
“In the wake of the pandemic, the outlook for the elderly in Puerto Rico has not been great. Many have been left alone and helpless. They are the most vulnerable population when it comes to everything we’ve experienced, and they need all the help we can give them. That’s why we’ve launched this campaign to raise awareness of the problem, eradicate taboos, and serve as a liaison between mental health care providers in the public and private sectors. I am very pleased to be part of this initiative, as it aligns with our mission at the MCS Foundation to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Elba Rivera, Executive Director of the MCS Foundation.
The advertising campaign developed by agency Lopito, Ileana & Howie represents the reality of many Puerto Ricans who have had to face their recurring health conditions, isolation, loneliness and fear in the wake of the pandemic. The images and rationale of the campaign are based on testimonials, data and statistics provided by healthcare providers and ASSMCA.
“Over the past few years, our citizens have faced great challenges – experiences beyond their control that have undoubtedly impacted their well-being. Hurricanes, earthquakes and the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these events affected the lives of our people and left a number of stress factors that have been destabilizing the mental health of many. Even though we’ve all been affected in one way or another, we have certain populations that are more emotionally vulnerable. That’s the case for our elderly, who have been impacted by these situations. And that’s why, in recognizing our ministerial responsibility to promote all measures and efforts aimed at the well-being of Puerto Ricans, we’ve joined this campaign. We appreciate this initiative by the MCS Foundation to promote this message of helping our elderly. If all of the island’s sectors came together to take care of the mental health of our people, we not only would be able to provide them with the help they need but preserve their well-being throughout their lives. That’s our goal,” said Dr. Carlos Rodríguez Mateo, ASSMCA Administrator.
Likewise, mental health care service provider FHC de Puerto Rico has endorsed the campaign. Chief Executive Officer, Awilda Broco, stated: “Currently, Puerto Ricans need the tools and advice to face each day, and achieve a better quality of life. Many seniors are in a process of adapting to new life circumstances due to their helplessness in being able to control their situations. Some also suffer from loneliness. FHC supports the initiatives of the MCS Foundation, as it provides an educational and community gathering alternative for this growing population, assisting them in their process of adaptation and emotional recovery.”
The non-profit organizations that are part of the public service campaign have been receiving support from the MCS Foundation for the past few years regarding social, emotional and physical programs to ensure the holistic health of the communities they serve. These organizations include Acción Social de Puerto Rico, Castillo de Ángeles, Inc., Centros Sor Isolina Ferré, Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados, Hogar Santa Teresa de Hornet, Centro Inés, Fundación Agenda Ciudadana, Corporación de Teatro Latino and La Fondita de Jesús, among others.
The MCS Foundation
The MCS Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization created to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves through initiatives to promote health, education and economic development. All contributions are tax deductible for state and federal tax filing purposes. The MCS Foundation donates 100% of the funds it raises to other non-profit tax-exempt organizations. Website: www.mcs-foundation.org; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn: @MCSHealthCares.
The MCS Foundation invests $452,000 in active projects with 10 entities, and launches a public service campaign to address mental health
The MCS Foundation joins with ASSMCA and FHC de Puerto Rico to launch the campaign in response to the rise in mental health cases
San Juan, Puerto Rico – In an effort to address the pandemic’s widespread effects on the island’s mental health, the MCS Foundation has teamed up with Administración de Servicios de Salud Mental y Contra la Adicción (ASSMCA) and mental healthcare provider FHC de Puerto Rico to launch the public service campaign Escondida, alluding to hidden problems as the result of the pandemic. This effort, in addition to an investment in the form of grants related to mental health made by the MCS Foundation, for a total of $452,000 in active projects involving 10 non-profit entities, with these organizations also part of the public service campaign.
This public service campaign comes in the face of an alarming increase in cases of people with symptoms such as depression, anxiety and loneliness. In just one year, the phone lines managed by Programa de Asistencia Sicosocial (PAS) registered an increase of 752,351 calls from people requesting emotional support. Most of these calls were from the elderly.
The campaign aims to raise awareness regarding emotional health care, and provide the necessary tools and support for Puerto Rico’s elderly population. It consists of an educational phase, and integrates phone number 1.855.490.5050, so that those who need assistance can find a helping hand to guide them in the process of managing their emotions. Also, website mcs-foundation.org/saludmental allows them to access a dozen Puerto Rican non-profit entities that, through programs subsidized by the MCS Foundation, provide services to address mental and emotional health.
“In the wake of the pandemic, the outlook for the elderly in Puerto Rico has not been great. Many have been left alone and helpless. They are the most vulnerable population when it comes to everything we’ve experienced, and they need all the help we can give them. That’s why we’ve launched this campaign to raise awareness of the problem, eradicate taboos, and serve as a liaison between mental health care providers in the public and private sectors. I am very pleased to be part of this initiative, as it aligns with our mission at the MCS Foundation to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve,” said Elba Rivera, Executive Director of the MCS Foundation.
The advertising campaign developed by agency Lopito, Ileana & Howie represents the reality of many Puerto Ricans who have had to face their recurring health conditions, isolation, loneliness and fear in the wake of the pandemic. The images and rationale of the campaign are based on testimonials, data and statistics provided by healthcare providers and ASSMCA.
“Over the past few years, our citizens have faced great challenges – experiences beyond their control that have undoubtedly impacted their well-being. Hurricanes, earthquakes and the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of these events affected the lives of our people and left a number of stress factors that have been destabilizing the mental health of many. Even though we’ve all been affected in one way or another, we have certain populations that are more emotionally vulnerable. That’s the case for our elderly, who have been impacted by these situations. And that’s why, in recognizing our ministerial responsibility to promote all measures and efforts aimed at the well-being of Puerto Ricans, we’ve joined this campaign. We appreciate this initiative by the MCS Foundation to promote this message of helping our elderly. If all of the island’s sectors came together to take care of the mental health of our people, we not only would be able to provide them with the help they need but preserve their well-being throughout their lives. That’s our goal,” said Dr. Carlos Rodríguez Mateo, ASSMCA Administrator.
Likewise, mental health care service provider FHC de Puerto Rico has endorsed the campaign. Chief Executive Officer, Awilda Broco, stated: “Currently, Puerto Ricans need the tools and advice to face each day, and achieve a better quality of life. Many seniors are in a process of adapting to new life circumstances due to their helplessness in being able to control their situations. Some also suffer from loneliness. FHC supports the initiatives of the MCS Foundation, as it provides an educational and community gathering alternative for this growing population, assisting them in their process of adaptation and emotional recovery.”
The non-profit organizations that are part of the public service campaign have been receiving support from the MCS Foundation for the past few years regarding social, emotional and physical programs to ensure the holistic health of the communities they serve. These organizations include Acción Social de Puerto Rico, Castillo de Ángeles, Inc., Centros Sor Isolina Ferré, Hermanitas de los Ancianos Desamparados, Hogar Santa Teresa de Hornet, Centro Inés, Fundación Agenda Ciudadana, Corporación de Teatro Latino and La Fondita de Jesús, among others.
The MCS Foundation
The MCS Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization created to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves through initiatives to promote health, education and economic development. All contributions are tax deductible for state and federal tax filing purposes. The MCS Foundation donates 100% of the funds it raises to other non-profit tax-exempt organizations. Website: www.mcs-foundation.org; Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn: @MCSHealthCares.