From July 26 to 29, the virtual intervention program 'Hero' received extensive media coverage. With 11 appearances (4 on radio and 7 online), it reached an audience of 1.842.100 readers and listeners.
The notes and interviews described the positive impact of the Hero program on promoting the psychological well-being of adolescents between 12 and 15 years old, who have been under mandatory social isolation for more than 130 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the lockdown, La Universidad Austral The program was offered free of charge to educational institutions and parents, thanks to a subsidy from the Templeton World Charity Foundation.
On Sunday, July 26, 2020, the newspaper Clarín published an article titled " Teenagers in Quarantine: An Online 'Sensei' Helps Them Overcome the Challenge of Isolation ." The article, published in one of the country's most widely read newspapers, included an interview with Dr. Belén Mesurado, the project's lead researcher, along with testimonials from teenagers who participated in the program and their parents.
The news from the Clarín newspaper also had repercussions in other media outlets.
In English: Web24 News . In Spanish: ADN Diario , Estar Informado , MSN Noticias , buenavibra.es , Head Topics Argentina.
The Clarín article was joined by the Radio X Pilar (web) article, “93% positive results confirmed for a program promoting psychological well-being in adolescents in isolation” , published on Monday, July 27.
Several radio programs also contacted Dr. Belén Mesurado during those days, expressing their interest in 'Hero'.
On Monday the 27th, on the program “Volviendo a Casa – Extra Muro de Noticias” (Radio Mitre AM 790), journalist Natalia López highlighted that 'Hero' was implemented in four Latin American countries during 2019: Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay. She also reported that during 2020, the University made 'Hero' available to families during the social isolation period, benefiting more than 200 families in Argentina and Uruguay to date. "This virtual assistant is fantastic!" was the journalist's praise for the 'Hero' program.
On Tuesday, July 28th, journalist Guillermo Hagelstrom of Radio X Pilar (FM 100.3) conducted an extensive interview with Dr. Belén Mesurado. She explained that the Hero program was developed at the Institute of Philosophy of the Universidad Australas an interdisciplinary project involving psychologists, engineers, and philosophers from the University. Guillermo Hagelstrom highlighted the program's importance in transmitting values to young people and helping them overcome selfishness. "I think it's a fantastic idea!" he added. Espaitec's The interview is available.
That same day, journalist Andrés Ferrero also interviewed Belén during the program “Andres Ferrero at night”.
The host invited his entire audience to join the Hero experience through the program's website and social media channels.
Finally, on Wednesday, July 29, Belén was interviewed by Eduardo Feinmann, who hosts the program “Someone Has to Say It” , on Radio Rivadavia (AM 630).
Thanks to this dissemination of 'Hero', 40 new families and 4 educational institutions from different provinces of the country contacted the research team with interest in participating in the program as well.
