The UPLB Human Resources Development Office (HRDO) successfully organized the webinar “Mental Health Matters: Promoting Well-being in the Workplace” on June 28, 2024. The event was attended by over 401 participants from various UPLB units and non-UP affiliated individuals via virtual conferencing and live-streaming on Facebook.

In his opening remarks, HRDO Director Roderick C. Javar emphasized the critical role of mental health alongside physical health. He highlighted the need for offices to create a supportive environment to boost productivity and efficiency.

“Kung walang bumabagabag sa isipan ng lahat ng miyembro ng opisina, ay higit tayong nakakapag-focus at concentrate sa ating araw-araw na mga trabaho. [Higit din na tataas] ang individual at collective morale sa ating mga opisina, na susi sa mas motivated at engaged na human resources,” he said.

As one of the supervising heads at the university, he challenged each supervisor, office head, and individual to become an agent of change in creating a mentally healthy workplace.

Rufo Gil Z. Albor, a faculty member at the Department of Human and Family Development Studies of the College of Human Ecology, served as the resource speaker for the webinar. 

He introduced the Human-Ecological Model of Mental Health and Well-being, which illustrates the various factors influencing an individual’s mental health and well-being across different levels, from individual to societal.

“To fully understand and support healthy development among individuals and families, it is important to recognize the influence of all contexts. This model shifts the narrative about mental health and mental illness, from being seen solely as individual issues to one that takes into account the social and environmental responsibilities of others,” he explained.

“You are responsible for the mental health of others because you affect the mental health of those around you,” he added.

Albor discussed the primary warning signs of mental health problems using the acronym BASIC, which stands for behavioral, affective, somatic, interpersonal, and cognitive. 

He also identified existing organizational risk factors and recommended the DEEP technique to manage stress: “Do not Defend, Do not Engage, Do not Explain, and Do not Personalize.”

Emphasizing the need for effective stress management strategies, Albor suggested effective practices such as finding a support system, setting realistic goals, engaging in regular exercise, taking good care of oneself, learning to say no, and mastering relaxation techniques.

Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Administration Eugene Raymond P. Crudo expressed his hopes that participants will gain valuable insights from the webinar. He stressed the importance of recognizing good and warning signs for creating a healthier work environment.

“Knowledge is power. Now that we know about it, it is up to you how you will react,” he said.

The webinar is available on the HRDO YouTube channel and the HRDO website. (Yra E. Bautista)