PANABO CITY – In recognition of the strong connection between mental health and work, the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrated World Mental Health Month in October, with a theme focusing on Mental Health at Work for 2024. Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) organized a seminar on Prioritizing Mental Health in the Workplace in response to the global challenge.
All employees were directed to attend the seminar on October 29, before proceeding to their Mental Health Break on October 30 – 31, 2024. College President Joy M. Sorrosa emphasized in her opening remarks, “Taking care of oneself is not just a necessity; it is the foundation of our ability to perform and thrive. Prioritizing self-care means recognizing when we need to rest, seek help, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.”
Dr. Fe D. Arcenas, RPsy, the lead facilitator, stressed the importance of creating a work environment sensitive to individual differences and eliminating toxicity. Ms. Nessa Maureen Cabiles, RPsy, Rpm, MPsy, spoke about fostering a stigma-free DNSC, while Ms. Melbourne Cortes, RPsy, MPsy, discussed empowering well-being and applying mental health first-aid. The speakers highlighted the need to recognize signs of depression, anxiety, and mental fatigue to provide appropriate support.
In the afternoon, employees participated in breakout sessions on topics such as Managing Mental Health: Self-Care and Resilience, A Journey Within: Deep Diving into Self-Awareness and Introspection, and Reframing Perspectives: Strategies for Looking Beyond the Problem. The Human Resource Management Office, in collaboration with the Guidance, Testing, and Counselling Services, spearheaded the event.
