Prudential plc and its community investment arm, Prudence Foundation, have announced a new initiative aimed at improving access to free mental health support for vulnerable populations in Southeast Asia. The programme, called Talk It Out, was launched via a recent press release and will initially be rolled out in Malaysia and Vietnam. The initiative is conducted in partnership with digital mental health service provider Intellect.
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Tackling Mental Health Gaps In Southeast Asia
According to the press release, the Talk It Out initiative reflects Prudence Foundation’s commitment to strengthening long-term health resilience by addressing the often-overlooked area of mental wellbeing. The need is pressing—one in seven people in Southeast Asia, or around 260 million individuals, are estimated to live with a mental health condition. Despite this, many face challenges accessing care due to stigma, socioeconomic issues, and limited service availability. In some parts of the region, the mental health treatment gap can reach up to 40 per cent.
Comprehensive, Accessible, And Multilingual Care
Through the Intellect mobile app, the programme offers a range of mental health services including self-guided resources, live sessions with licensed professionals, and a 24/7 multilingual helpline. The app is available in languages such as Bahasa Malaysia, Tamil, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and English to ensure accessibility for diverse communities. Users can also be referred for personalised one-on-one support where needed, enabling a blend of scale and depth in care delivery.
Targeting Free Mental Health Support For At-Risk Groups
Talk It Out is specifically designed to reach at-risk communities such as women and youth, low-income families, and marginalised or displaced populations. The programme will be implemented in collaboration with local partners in healthcare, education, and community services. In addition to digital access, the initiative will include in-person workshops and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and enhancing community understanding of mental health.
Statements From Key Stakeholders
Arjan Toor, CEO of Health at Prudential plc, said that mental wellbeing was essential to a person’s peace of mind. However, vulnerable communities often lacked access to timely and culturally appropriate care. Through this programme, they were addressing a critical gap while reinforcing their commitment to the communities they served.
Diana Guzman, Chair of Prudence Foundation, added that wthout support for psychological wellbeing, people were left exposed to the everyday pressures of life. Their goal was to build stronger, more resilient communities through free and accessible care tailored to local needs.
Theodoric Chew, CEO and Co-Founder of Intellect, noted that the partnership with Prudence Foundation aims to bring scalable and localised mental health support to those who need it most.
A Broader Commitment To Mental Wellbeing
As a Tier 1 organisation in the 2025 CCLA Corporate Mental Health Benchmark, Prudential is recognised for its ongoing efforts to improve mental health both within the workplace and in the wider community. Organisations interested in supporting similar efforts can reach out to Prudence Foundation via [email protected].
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