ILOILO City – Private establishments across Western Visayas are required to implement workplace mental health policies and programs that protect employees from psychological distress, discrimination and other mental health risks, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 reminded employers as it stepped up its campaign for healthier and more supportive working environments.
The agency stressed that protecting workers’ mental health is not merely an act of compassion but also a responsibility of employers under Republic Act No. 11036, or the Mental Health Act, and DOLE Department Order No. 208-20.
Under these regulations, all private formal sector establishments, including agencies deploying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), must formulate and implement confidential, non-discriminatory mental health workplace policies and programs integrated into their existing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) systems.
The reminder comes as DOLE-6 observes Mental Health Month, highlighting the growing importance of addressing psychological distress, workplace pressures and mental health conditions that can undermine employee well-being, productivity and workplace relationships.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, the agency noted that 15 percent of working-age adults worldwide live with a mental disorder.
Depression and anxiety alone account for an estimated 12 billion lost working days annually across the globe, underscoring the economic and social consequences of neglecting mental health in workplaces.
DOLE-6 emphasized that employers must foster environments where workers feel respected, valued and supported, rather than allowing excessive workloads, workplace bullying, harassment and other harmful conditions to undermine their psychological well-being.
“Your work is appreciated, your mental health matters, and YOU matter,” DOLE-6 said.
As part of its advocacy, the agency is promoting the 4Rs of Mental Health — Recognize, Respond, Refer and Recover — a framework outlined by Dr. Roberto Capistrano of the Philippine Psychiatric Association Inc.
The framework encourages employers, supervisors and employees to identify early warning signs of mental health problems, provide appropriate support, facilitate professional intervention and establish workplace conditions conducive to recovery.
Under “Recognize”, workers and supervisors are encouraged to watch for behavioral and emotional changes that may indicate psychological distress.
These include persistent sadness, irritability, hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, unusual fatigue, disrupted sleeping patterns, appetite changes, social withdrawal, unexplained absences and declining work performance.
The “Respond” component emphasizes the importance of reaching out to distressed colleagues through genuine concern, active listening and nonjudgmental communication.
DOLE-6 encouraged workers to ask colleagues how they are feeling, listen without dismissing their concerns and help them access appropriate support services.
The agency underscored that even a simple question such as “Kumusta ka?” or “How are you?” can help create a more compassionate workplace when accompanied by sincere concern and willingness to listen.
Under “Refer”, employees experiencing persistent psychological distress should be directed to qualified healthcare professionals.
Routine referrals are recommended for workers experiencing recurring anxiety attacks, depressive symptoms, chronic sleep disturbances, substance use concerns or mental health conditions that interfere with their work and family responsibilities.
Immediate professional intervention, meanwhile, is necessary for individuals showing suicidal intent, severe confusion, psychosis, dangerous intoxication or an inability to maintain personal safety.
Employees may seek assistance from company OSH teams, in-house medical personnel, company physicians, primary care doctors, clinical psychologists, National Center for Mental Health services and hospital emergency departments.
The fourth component, “Recover”, focuses on the responsibility of employers to establish workplace systems that support employees experiencing or recovering from mental health difficulties.
These include manageable workloads, predictable schedules, adequate rest periods, reasonable autonomy in performing tasks and supportive supervision.
DOLE-6 also emphasized the importance of preventing workplace bullying and harassment, recognizing employee contributions and establishing confidential mechanisms for seeking mental health assistance.
Employers are likewise encouraged to provide mental health education, reasonable workplace accommodations and structured return-to-work support for employees recovering from psychological or psychiatric conditions./PN