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The agreement will provide funding for Mental Support Line (MSL)
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Since its launch in 2020, the MSL has received over 1900 calls
Emirates Foundation and the BP Exploration Operating Company have signed an agreement to support the Mental Wellbeing initiative ‘Mental Support Line’.
The agreement will provide funding for the Mental Support Line and bolster its effectiveness through mutual cooperation on the exchange of knowledge and expertise around social responsibility.
It will also increase the reach of the call center system, 800HOPE, which currently offers services from 08:00 to 20:00 daily in both Arabic and English languages. Users can also connect on WhatsApp using the same number.
Since its launch in 2020, the Mental Support Line initiative has received more than 1900 calls so far, providing valuable psychological first aid to UAE citizens, residents, and frontline professionals through a team of over 50 specially trained volunteers, all of whom have a connection with the mental wellbeing industry.
Mohanna Al Mheiri, Emirates Foundation Chief of Staff said that the agreement with BP brings a dynamic boost to the support mechanisms in place for those health workers and others who are facing unique challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our free 800HOPE support line is designed to give people access to psychological first aid in complete privacy and with respect to them as individuals,” Al Mheiri said. “We are delighted to be working on the project closely with BP to ensure that fully trained volunteers, backed by mental health professionals and an advisory board which includes leading psychologists, are always available to talk”.
Salem Bin Ashoor, Vice President of BP Exploration Operating Company, said: ““Mental health is a key part of wellbeing and it’s an important agenda item to BP because it touches everybody, aligns with leading workplace practices, and makes business sense”.
Emirates Foundation is an independent organization that works hand-in-hand with both public and private sector partners to respond to society’s most pressing challenges.