World
Mental Health Day is recognized across many countries, including the
Philippines, on an annual basis to raise awareness of the growing
concern over Mental Health issues that continue to rise amidst
changing times. In the Philippines, the entire Mental Health
Workforce is only composed of 2 people per 100,000 people in the
Philippines. The latest report from Department of Health stated that
1 in 5 Filipinos suffer from a form of mental illness. More
than 300 million employees according to the study by World Health
Organization (WHO) suffer from it.
According
to WHO, the workplace is one of the key environments that affect our
well-being and health. Globally, only 9%
of
mental health promotion and prevention programs are focused in the
Workplace.
“We spend at least 9 hours a day at our workplaces. If it’s not a healthy environment for your mind, body, and soul, your output and morale will definitely suffer,” states Philippa Keys, ex-officio of InTouch Philippines. This non-stock, non-profit organization has been providing Mental Health Services in the Philippines since the 80’s.
“A recent study conducted by the World Health Organization revealed that the global economy loses up to 1 trillion US dollars annually due to lost productivity caused by Mental Health Issues such as depression and anxiety,” Keys shares. “There’s still a stigma that prevents people from talking about their Mental Health issues. The ever-increasing demand to deliver more in the workplace in shorter timeframes is still prevalent across different industries. And it’s time for companies to play their part by providing an environment that opens the conversation on Mental Health.”
In Touch
Philippines has extended help to hundreds of struggling employees
along the way through its Employee Well-being Program or EWP.
Among
those who have availed of EWP from In Touch Philippines is Havas
Ortega. As an organization that belongs to the highly competitive and
evolving marketing and communications industry, achieving work-life
balance is a difficult task to contend with. Havas Ortega partnered
with In Touch Philippines to help its employee address the day-to-day
challenges that affect employees’ Mental Health as they do agency
work. Through its partnership with In Touch, the organization was
able to create its TALK program which provides every employee a
dedicated 24/7 Employee Hotline as well as subsidized private
counseling sessions. Adding to these benefits, resource speakers from
In Touch Philippine’s pool of professional experts has enabled
Havas Ortega to conduct monthly In-house Skill Builder Sessions to
educate and empower the workforce on a range of topics such as
“Mental Health Awareness and First Aid”, “Stress Management”
and “Finding Grit”.
Jos
Ortega, CEO of Havas Ortega enthusiastically shares why upper
management has given its full support behind this initiative,
“Employees are the most important asset in the company. Here at
Havas Ortega, we want to make sure that we look after their health
with a holistic approach - and that includes putting a premium on
mental well-being. At the end of the day, we want to keep them
inspired and motivated. We want to ensure them that there is a solid
support system to help them keep going.” The first of its kind in
the local advertising industry, Havas Ortega’s internal mental
health program became possible based on its cohesive partnership with
In Touch Philippines.
For more
information on In Touch Philippines’ Employee Well-being program,
you can call
893
1893 or email intouch@in-touch.org.
In Touch Philippines also hosts a 24/7 crisis line, offers face
to face counselling, and leads training sessions to build skills for
healthier mental and emotional well-being
for individuals and their loved ones.
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