Leading life insurer Pru Life UK tackled the intersection of climate change and health, with focus on mental health, during an employee session held on its PRUCommunity Day last 2 July. The PRUCommunity Day is Pru Life UK’s initiative to gather employees and celebrate diversity through various communities or advocacy groups that promote a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Led by its Sustainability Changemakers community, with members advocating positive change and long-term resilience for Filipinos, the session prompted critical challenges and opportunities, discussing concerns on climate health.
Financial security at all levels is a climate adaptation measure
During the learning session, Dr. John Jamir Benzon Aruta, Associate Professor of Psychology at De La Salle University and expert on environmental psychology, and mental & planetary health, highlighted the profound impact of climate-related events on mental health, particularly among agricultural workers. He emphasized the urgent need for accessible mental health support, underscoring the debilitating effects of climate-induced adversities on vulnerable communities.
environmental psychology, mental & planetary health, highlights the impact of climate-related events on mental health.
Echoing concerns raised by the Philippine Mental Health Association Inc. (PMHA), Dr. Aruta further stressed that mental health care should be accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of their socio-economic status. Recent data reveals a severe shortage of mental health professionals for every 100,000 Filipinos, strengthening Pru Life UK’s commitment to impelling sustainable solutions.
Maricel Estavillo, Pru Life UK’s VP for Government Relations & Sustainability, stated, “As one of the frontrunners in uplifting climate health for Filipinos, Pru Life UK is dedicated to creating sustainable solutions that address both financial and health challenges posed by climate change. Our initiatives are designed to support our lasting commitment to making financial and health solutions accessible to all Filipinos, ensuring they are equipped to face the future with resilience and confidence.”
Pioneering climate resilience and accessible support for Filipino communities
Pru Life UK has long since integrated climate education into its community-based financial programs, prioritizing mental well-being in its initiatives. This introduction of climate-smart insurance products aims to bolster financial resilience during climate-related health crises, bridging crucial gaps in community preparedness.
The company also launched a pioneering study in 2021 entitled “How Climate Change Will Impact Filipino Health in the Next Decade,” led by Dr. Renzo Guinto, a renowned expert on planetary health. The study highlighted proactive measures to mitigate climate change’s looming health effects. His insights also underscored the importance of financial security and mental health interventions as critical adaptations to a changing climate.
Through initiatives like the Climate and Health Session for its employees, Pru Life UK continues demonstrating proactive leadership in climate resilience and community support. By integrating climate education into community-based financial programs and launching climate-smart insurance products, Pru Life UK continues to lead in equipping Filipinos with the tools needed to thrive amidst a changing climate landscape.
Such commitment deeply emphasizes Pru Life UK’s ongoing efforts to ensure that financial security and mental health support are readily available, reinforcing their role as a catalyst for community resilience.