Prudential and Prudence Foundation Provide Free Mental Health Support to Vulnerable Communities
Prudential and Prudence Foundation Provide Free Mental Health Support to Vulnerable Communities
Rabu, 02 Juli 2025 | 10:13
Arjan Toor, CEO, Health, Prudential plc (third from right) and Diana Guzman, Chair of Prudence Foundation and Chief Sustainability Officer, Prudential plc (second from right) at the launch of Talk It Out in Vietnam
HONG KONG SAR -
Media OutReach Newswire
- 2 July 2025 - Prudential plc ("Prudential") and Prudence Foundation,
the community investment arm of Prudential, are collaborating to launch
Talk it Out, a mental health initiative in partnership with
digital mental health service provider Intellect. Through the programme,
communities in need in Malaysia and Vietnam will have access to free
mental health support.
Talk It Out reflects Prudence Foundation's commitment to building
long-term health resilience by addressing mental well-being as a vital
component of overall health, particularly as mental health emerges as a
growing challenge in Southeast Asia. Around one in seven people in the
region, equivalent to 260 million, live with a mental health
condition[1]. Many are also plagued by daily stress, burnout,
relationship problems, and sleep issues. Barriers such as limited access
to services, socioeconomic challenges, and financial constraints have
resulted in widening gaps in mental healthcare in the region. In some
countries, the treatment gap – defined as the percentage of individuals
needing care but not receiving it – reaches up to 40 per cent[2].
Through the Intellect app, users will have access to a full spectrum of
mental health services, including self-guided programmes, live
consultations with licensed coaches, clinical psychologists and
counsellors, and a 24/7 helpline that provides professional support in
their local language. Where needed, users can also be connected to local
mental health professionals for one-on-one coaching or counselling
sessions, ensuring both scalability and personalised care for diverse
community needs. To ensure accessibility and relevance to users in
Malaysia and Vietnam, the app is available in multiple local languages
such as Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, Tamil, Vietnamese, French and English.
The programme will identify and engage vulnerable and at-risk groups in
Malaysia and Vietnam, and work with local partners in healthcare,
education, and community sectors.
Talk It Out will be targeted to serve various local communities,
including at-risk youth and women, low-income parents and families,
marginalised and displaced communities. The programme will also be
accompanied by targeted in-community workshops and awareness campaigns
to help reduce stigma and equip users with essential knowledge.
Arjan Toor, CEO, Health, Prudential plc (third from right) and
Diana Guzman, Chair of Prudence Foundation and Chief Sustainability
Officer, Prudential plc (second from left) at the launch of Talk It Out
in Vietnam
Arjan Toor, CEO, Health, Prudential plc, said: "Our mission is to
give our customers peace of mind by investing in and supporting
initiatives that strengthen their ability to manage health challenges.
Mental wellbeing is intrinsically linked with peace of mind, and enables
people to lead resilient and meaningful lives. But there is a widening
gap between the demand for mental health services and access to care,
particularly within vulnerable communities. Through our collaboration
with Prudence Foundation, we aim to end worry and hassle for people with
a mental health condition. Launching this programme in two of our
biggest health markets - Malaysia and Vietnam - is an important step
forward in our commitment to helping our customers, and communities,
when they need us most."
Diana Guzman, Chair of Prudence Foundation and Chief Sustainability Officer, Prudential plc,
said: "Our goal is to create meaningful, lasting change and build
long-term health resilience. Across our markets, millions remain without
health protection, not due to a lack of need, but because of
affordability and access barriers. Mental health is a critical part of
this equation. Without support for emotional and psychological
wellbeing, individuals and families are left vulnerable to the pressures
of daily life. That's why we're investing in targeted programmes like
Talk It Out, which provide free, culturally relevant mental
health support to those who need it most. By reaching vulnerable
communities with accessible care, we're not just filling a gap—we're
laying the foundation for stronger, more resilient lives."
Theodoric Chew,CEO and Co-Founder, Intellect, said: "Our work with Prudence
Foundation is a step towards building mental health resources and
solutions that are universally accessible, especially for vulnerable and
at-risk communities. By leveraging technology, our clinical expertise
and on-the-ground networks, we are able to deliver meaningful care to
those who need it most, in a way that's scalable, localised, and
sustainable."
As a Tier 1 organisation in the 2025 CCLA Corporate Mental Health
Benchmark, Prudential continues its commitment to supporting mental
health wellbeing in the workplace and the community. For organisations
interested to support their community's mental health needs through this
initiative, please contact
prudencefoundation@prudential.com.hk.
[1] "Transforming mental health in the WHO South-East Asia Region – Annual Report 2024" by World Health Organisation