EVERY 40 seconds, a life is lost to suicide, making it the second leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year olds globally, according to the World Health Organization. In addition to this, depression is the predominant cause of illness and disability for both boys and girls aged 10 to 19.
With the grim scenario, the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF), in partnership with the Department of Health (DoH), and the UP Junior Marketing Association (UPJMA), and the support of Globe Telecom is launching “Hope in 40 Seconds,” a 40-second animated digital video competition that aims to promote mental health and encourage those suffering from it as well as their loved ones to seek guidance from HOPELINE, NGF’s free 24/7 suicide hot line.
“We want to counter the suicide rate of one per 40 seconds by offering hope so that those who are in emotional crisis and in need of immediate assistance can have someone they can talk to, someone who understands what they are going through, and who can give them the support they need,” said Jean Goulbourn, Chief Executive Officer of NGF, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing depression to light.
Through animated videos which will be distributed using various channels such as social media and movie theaters, NGF would be able to reach out to more people and provide them with proper intervention.
Globe, a partner of NGF in providing the information and communications technology infrastructure for HOPELINE which enables Globe and TM customers to call toll-free, is also lending its resources to the video competition. Globe also currently runs the Digital Thumbprint Program workshops for students to guide them on responsible online behavior and has also forged a partnership with the UNICEF Philippines and the Ateneo Human Rights Center for the protection of children against online exploitation.
The video competition is open to all Filipino citizens currently residing in the Philippines. The entries must be in animated digital video format (FLV, WMV, MOV, AVI, mpeg, mp4) not exceeding 40 seconds including the title and end screens. It should also incorporate the HOPELINE numbers 804-HOPE (4673), 0917-558HOPE (4673), and 2919 (toll free for TM and Globe).
For more information mail hopein40seconds@gmail.com or visit SPARK The Movement by UP JMA at https://www.facebook.com/SparkTheMovement.
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HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NWIALKMS9WA
