<aside> 📖 In celebration of the National Mental Health week, the webinar 2021 Learning to be a Lifeline: Basic Skills Workshop on Psychosocial Support to Staff was held last October 7-8, 2021. The two-day event was attended by 44 supervisors and unit heads from both academic and non-academic units. The webinar was presented by the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Psychosocial Services (Psycserv).

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During the first day, the program started with touching base activities led by Psychosocial Support Specialist (PSS) Maica Yatco. The Director of Psycserv, Dr. Violeta Bautista, led the first lecturette on Mental Health Challenges in the Workplace. Dr. Divine Love Salvador, the current head of the clinical psychology program of the university, also talked about Psychological First Aid.This was followed by the sharing of PSS Joy Bantigue and PSS Arlin Asuncion on learning basic attitudes and skills in providing psychological support. Both Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo and Vice Chancellor for Administration Adeline Pacia were also present to give their welcoming messages.

On the second day, PSS Joy Bantigue and PSS Arlin Asuncion continued their discussion on what to do in times of crisis and making referrals. The day’s highlight also included the lecturettes of Dr. Salvador on nurturing ginhawa in the workplace, and of Dr. Anna Cristina Tuazon on caring for the self. Dr. Salvador is a clinical supervisor at the UP Psycserv.

In addition to the lectures provided by the resource speakers, attendees also participated in icebreakers, plenary sharings, and breakout sessions. The breakout sessions, led by the PSS,  gave the participants an avenue to share their experiences of dealing with their own mental health challenges, and also the psychosocial concerns of their staff. The Deputy Director of HRDO, Prof. Arthur Gonzales III, closed the program, sharing to the participants the administration’s hope to institutionalize programs and interventions related to the mental health and wellbeing of the employees.

Participants who have finished their post-program evaluation will also be receiving their certificate of participation via email. Attendees who missed the said webinar may enroll in the upcoming online course Extending a Lifeline to Your Colleagues this October 2022.