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

Pandemics, such as the current COVID-19, can have implications on mental health. To support and manage well-being during these stressful times, Airtel Lanka announced a series of initiatives and a partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to raise awareness on looking after your 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 are reaching out to the general public to encourage everyone to utilise 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,” said NIMH Sri Lanka Director Dr. Dhammika Wijesinghe. 

Staying engaged and entertained 

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. 

Empowering e-education 

While the temptation to avoid educational commitments during the lockdown period may be significant, the telco also urged 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’.

‘My Airtel’ App bolstered as one-stop shop for all user needs  

Airtel customers can additionally top-up and recharge while staying indoors using their ‘My Airtel’ App or through the Airtel website. Airtel App offers many options to customers such as 25% discount on exclusive data bundles, ‘work from home’ higher data packs and additional bonus talk time to name a few. Selected exclusive offers are also available by banks and other payment partners for the ease of customers. Airtel is also offering its customers a chance to earn from home when you recharge another Airtel prepaid number through the ‘My Airtel’ App. 

Additionally an emergency loan facility is offered for all Airtel mobile prepaid customers who are unable to purchase top up cards or reload. 

“Ever since the lockdown was first implemented a month prior, the Airtel team has been doing everything to help our customers navigate through this challenging time, while strictly abiding with the directives for social distancing. We have all come to rely on technology to help us through the COVID crisis, by keeping us connected and enabling us to work, study, or stay entertained online,” Airtel Lanka Chief Marketing Officer Chandrashekhar Singh Chauhan said.