The City Government of Davao’s Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) will be conducting learning sessions on mental health awareness in the workplace as part of its strategies in ensuring the mental well-being of employees.
The learning session on mental health awareness in the workplace is part of the line-up of activities that the HRMO’s Mental Health Program prepared in celebration of the World Mental Health Day on October 10.
“As part of the strategies we have in the Mental Health Program, we will be conducting learning sessions on Mental Health Awareness in the workplace on October 10–11. We will also have a second meet-up with the employees support group on October 22,” Rawi June Morandante, Focal Person of the HRMO’s Mental Health Program, said.
Morandante added that the support group caters to local government employees with special needs such as single parents, widows or widowers, parents who have children with special needs, and employees with cancer or cancer survivors.
The HRMO will also be distributing information education campaign materials on anxiety, stress, and overcoming burnout to all offices.
Wellness activities such as emotion checks, gratitude boards, and spaces for promoting healthy habits will also be conducted.
Morandante also said that the Mental Health Program of the HRMO for city government employees has been in place since 2020.
This program not only addresses mental health concerns of employees, but it also aims to provide support for employees’ mental health challenges and foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment.
Different services are offered under the program including free workplace counselling that employees may avail for free.
Employees who wish to avail of the free counseling may visit the HRMO’s website and register through a Google Form link provided in the page.
Other mental health wellness activities are also conducted under the Mental Health Program such as team building activities, physical activities, support groups, and personnel interest groups.
The learning session on mental health awareness in the workplace is also one of the regular activities conducted under the program.
The HRMO’s Mental Health Program also conducts stress debriefing to personnel especially to those personnel sent to rescue operations and other traumatic or stressful situations.
Local government employees are urged to reach out and avail of the HRMO’s Mental Health Program as well as to give importance to their mental well-being.
“Promoting mental health in the workplace is not only about reducing stress or absenteeism but about ensuring that we as public servants can thrive both professionally and personally. Let us make Davao City government a place where mental health is valued and supported,” Morandante said. CIO
