Mental health protection for CH workers pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  Ensuring that Cebu City Hall workers feel safe and mentally-well in carrying out their responsibilities, an ordinance has been proposed to establish the employee behavioral health assistance program.

In her proposed ordinance, Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos said that the establishment of the employee behavioral health assistance programs of the Cebu City Government will “ensure a safe and conducive workplace for all workers”.

In her proposal, De los Santos, who is a mental advocate herself, cited Section 25 of the Mental Health Act which mandates employers to “develop appropriate policies and programs on mental health in the workplace” among other citations.

She also cited the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO) which says that mental health is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community".

“Employers have a duty of care to their employees by promoting positive mental health, enabling the employees to work productively, cope with stress, improve morale, and enhance overall well-being, thus preventing burnout and contributing to better individual and team performance and motivation,” reads De los Santos’ proposed ordinance.

“The City shall ensure a safe and conducive workplace for all workers by providing full protection against all hazards in their work environment,” it further reads.

She added that it is important to safeguard the safety and health of the workers, hence emphasizing that the city recognizes that physical health is as important as mental health.

Among the objectives that De los Santos stated in her proposal is to develop an “information system, evidence-based approaches, and a research-oriented mechanism for mental health”. She also aims that this ordinance will reduce the stigma associated with mental health.

The primary beneficiaries of the ordinance are “active employees” of the Cebu City government who are certified by the Human Resource Department Office (HRDO) either “permanent, casual, coterminous, or job-order” employees.

The Behavioral Health unit shall be manned by Psychiatrist Consultants; Psychologists; Psychiatric Nurses; Psychometricians; Social Workers and Admin Aides. Among the services included were short-term counseling; substance abuse referral services; workplace trauma counseling among others.

“The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Ordinance shall be included in the Annual Budget in the amount of Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) following its enactment into law and for subsequent years,” De los Santos’ proposal further reads.

During the regular Cebu City council session last Wednesday, the proposed ordinance was referred to the Committee on Laws and the HRDO.(CEBU NEWS)