Mental Health at Work

For a long time, mental health was rarely discussed in Filipino workplaces. Employees who felt anxious or depressed often hid their struggles for fear of being labeled weak or losing their jobs. The Mental Health Act of 2018, or Republic Act No. 11036, sought to change this. The law recognizes mental health as part of overall health and mandates the integration of mental health services into the country's health system, from national hospitals down to community level. It also calls on employers to develop policies that promote mental well-being, raise awareness and provide support to employees with mental health conditions, while protecting them from discrimination. Experts note that a supportive workplace benefits not only employees but also organizations, since stress and burnout reduce productivity and increase absences. Simple measures, such as reasonable workloads, open communication and access to counseling, can make a significant difference. Changing deeply rooted attitudes, however, takes time and requires leaders who model openness.