Airtel partners with NIMH to create awareness on mental health during COVID-19

Airtel Lanka, to support and manage well-being during these stressful times, has announced a series of initiatives and a partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to raise awareness on looking after one’s mental health.

Drawing on the expertise of experienced mental-health professionals and counsellors at NIMH, Airtel will be utilising its strong link with young Sri Lankans to drive out messages of support and solidarity, while providing practical insights on common mental health issues that could emerge in times of crisis.  

“It is paramount to consider mental well-being as part and parcel of the public health response to COVID-19. Recognising this lacuna we, the team at NIMH is reaching out to the general public to encourage everyone to utilize the mitigation methods that we have shared with the support of Airtel. During this pandemic there has been a spike in anxiety and for those of us who are suffering in isolation, know this: You are not alone. Looking out for each other and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while remaining physically distant will remain crucial as we address the pandemic together,” Dr. Dhammika Wijesinghe, Director, NIMH Sri Lanka, said in a media release issued by Airtel. 

Throughout the lockdown period, the telco will continue to provide all its users with free entertainment via Airtel Movie Box.  Accessible through the ‘My Airtel’ App, users will have their choice of over 500 movies – the largest online library of Sri Lankan films in the country – in high definition and in all three languages. The library includes movies going back to the golden era of the silver screen all the way through to the latest releases. 

While the temptation to avoid educational commitments during the lockdown period may be significant, the telco is also urging young Sri Lankans not to neglect their education. In order to support Airtel users to continue their studies during the lockdown, the telco facilitated free access to ‘e-thaksalawa’, the official e-learning platform by the Ministry of Education, for schools with learning material from grade 1 through to grade 13 and University hosted e-learning platform, ‘LEARN’.