MANILA, Philippines — Suicide prevention hotline Hopeline Philippines on Wednesday said it will continue its operations even after the Department of Health (DOH) and National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has withdrawn support.
“For clarification, HopelinePH will continue its operation despite the withdrawal of support from DOH-NCMH,” Hopeline Philippines said on Twitter.
“We are beyond grateful for the continuous support of [Globe] corporations, and individual donors and of course, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation,” it added.
For clarification, HopelinePH will continue its operation despite the withdrawal of support from DOH-NCMH. We are beyond grateful for the continuous support of @enjoyGLOBE, corporations, and individual donors and of course, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation. 💙
— Hopeline Philippines (@HopelinePH) June 26, 2019
The suicide prevention hotline earlier announced that it would cease operations on July 1 due to the withdrawal of DOH and NCMH’s support.
It is with a heavy heart that we, the Hopeline Philippines responders along with Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, inform you that the Hopeline Philippines cease to operate starting July 1, 2019, due to DOH-NCMH's decision to withdraw its support. 🍵🍵🍵
— Hopeline Philippines (@HopelinePH) June 25, 2019
Hopeline Philippines first partnered with the DOH and NCMH in 2016 as part of their campaign to help those with mental health concerns.
Despite the withdrawal, Hopeline has also set up a GoGetFunding account to help raise funds to continue their services.
As an initiative of Hopeline responders, we are sharing our gogetfunding account to help raise funds to continue our services especially our suicide prevention hotline. https://t.co/iFpq0SWdxf
— Hopeline Philippines (@HopelinePH) June 25, 2019
INQUIRER.net has reached out to the DOH and NCMH for comment but has yet to receive a response as of this posting. (Editor: Eden Estopace)