SP EMPLOYEES STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
By: Jiroh Joy D. Marbella, GPC-SP | Photo By: GPC-SP | Date: November 18 and 19, 2020
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Staff assess their mental health during the workshop sessions of the Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being Seminar-Workshop initiated by the SP on November 18 and 19, 2020 at Cong. Eriguel Hall, SP Building, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The seminar workshop aims to promote awareness about mental health issues and on how to handle work-related stress brought about by the CoViD-19 pandemic.
To promote awareness about mental health issues and on how to handle work-related stress brought about by the CoViD-19 pandemic, employees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of La Union underwent Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being Seminar-Workshop on November 18 and 19, 2020 at the Cong. Eriguel Hall, SP Building, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The seminar-workshop, entitled “Every Mind Matters: Building Conversations on Mental Health,” was conducted as part of the mandate under 170-2019 also known as the “Health and Wellness Program and Granting Health Benefits for all Officials and Employees of the Provincial Government of La Union Act of 2018.” In line with the ordinance, the seminar-workshop was aimed on promoting awareness about mental health issues; promote positive mental health; reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses; and increase their overall work performance. The SP employees were also able to assess their mental health during one of the workshop sessions, where most of the SP employees were considered to have mild stress but is considered manageable.
Topics discussed include the Legal Bases on Mental Health in the Workplace; a Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health in the Workplace; Kindness to Self and Others; and Conversations on Mental Health.
In addition, the facilitators of the seminar-workshop imparted some advices on how to deal with stress in general and work-related stress. Simple exercises that can be done while even in front of the work desk and proper breathing exercises were demonstrated as these techniques help the brain intake more oxygen for a better blood circulation and a better cognitive function.
In response to the program, Secretary to the Sanggunian Mr. Donato A. Rimando reminded the SP employees to always take care of their mental health. He reiterated that the lessons and insights shared by the speakers must be internalized and practiced not only for each employee but to ensure that everyone is mentally healthy to be able to provide a sound and reliable support to their office, to the SP Department and to the Provincial Government of La Union as a whole.
