The document outlines guidelines for implementing mental health policies and programs in the workplace according to Philippine law. It defines mental health and well-being, explains common mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and stresses the importance of promoting mental wellness. Employers are required to develop awareness programs, support workers, ensure confidentiality and provide accommodations or leave for those struggling with their mental health. The guidelines aim to reduce stigma and support all workers in maintaining good mental health.

1. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE

2. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE

3. MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IN THE WORKPLACE

4. OBJECTIVES:
• Explain the DOLE D.O. 208 or the mental health workplace
policies and Programs for the private sectors
• Define Mental Health
• Describe the impact that Anxiety/Depression is having on
people going back to work
• How to promote Mental Wellbeing in the workplace and look
after your own Mental Wellbeing

5. DEPARTMENT
ORDER NO. 208
SERIES OF 2020
GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
MENTAL HEALTH WORKPLACE POLICIES AND
PROGRAMS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTORS

6. OBJECTIVES:
This issuance aims to guide employers and workers in the private sector for the effective
implementation of Mental Health Workplace Policies and Programs in accordance with
the following:
1. Republic Act No. 11036 (Mental Health Act)
2. Republic Act No. 7277 (The Magna Carta for Persons with Disability)
3. Republic Act No. 10524 (An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons with Disability,
amending RA 7277 “Magna Carta for Persons with Disability and its IRR
4. Republic Act No. 11058 (An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and
Health Standards and Providing Penalties Thereof and its IRR)
5. United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
6. Republic Act No. 11313 (An Act Defining Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets. Public
Spaces, Online, Workplaces and Educational or Training Institutions Providing Protective
Measures and Prescribing Penalties Thereof)
7. Other relevant policy issuances.

7. Scope and Coverage:
This guideline shall apply to all workplaces and establishments in
the formal sector including those which deploy Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFWs)

8. Formulation of Mental Health Policy and Program:
A. It is mandatory for all workplaces and establishments to
formulate a Mental health Workplace Policy and Program, which
shall include the following:
1. Raise awareness
2. Promote workers well-being towards healthy and productive lives.
3. Be jointly prepared by the management and worker’s representatives and
be made an integral part of the company’s occupational safety and health.
B. The Mental Health Workplace Policy and Program shall be properly
coordinated, monitored and regularly reviewed and updated as necessary for its
effective implementation.

9. Components and Implementation Strategies of the
Mental Health Workplace Policy and Program:
A. Advocacy, Information, Education and Training
B. Promotion and enhancement of workers’ well-being to have a healthy and productive lives
C. Non-discriminatory policies and practices
- Non-discriminatory policies and practices
- Confidentiality
- Disclosure
- Work Accommodation and Work Arrangement
D. Treatment, Rehabilitation and Referral System
E. Benefits and Compensation
F. Support Mechanism Program

10. Responsibilities of
Employers and Workers

11. A. Employers shall:
1. Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate mental health workplace
policies and programs.
2. Develop and implement programs with reporting mechanisms to
address and prevent problems on bullying such as cyber bullying,
verbal, sexual and physical harassment, all forms of work-related
violence, threats, shaming, alienation and other forms of discrimination
which may lead to a mental health problem.

12. A. Employers shall:
3. Ensure that there are adequate resources to implement and sustain
mental health workplace programs
4. Ensure that they provide the necessary training to the OSH personnel
and Human Resource Officers who will develop, implement and monitor
the mental health workplace policies and programs.
5. Provide the necessary work accommodation when needed,
6. Develop mechanisms for referral of workers at risk of developing or with
the mental health
7. Ensure compliance to all requirements of existing legislations and
guidelines related thereto.

13. B. Workers shall:
1. Participate actively in the formulation and effective implementation of
the workplace policies and programs on Mental Health, through
consultations, policy making processes and general assembly in organized
and unorganized establishment.
2. Provide assistance to improve the condition of co-workers who are at risk
of developing or with mental health condition and refrain from any
discriminatory acts against them.

14. B. Workers shall:
3. Seek assistance from the company OSH personnel on conditions for their
appropriate medical intervention and possible work arrangements or
accommodation
4. Not themselves engage in bullying such as cyber bullying,
verbal/sexual/physical harassment which may lead to a mental health
problem

15. Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements
a. The medical records shall be kept inside the
company clinic. If the clinic is not yet legally
required, it shall be kept with HR and access
restricted to on an as-needed basis.
b. In compliance with the DOLE requirement of
reporting injuries and/or illnesses in the
workplace, companies shall report cases to
DOLE-Regional Office having jurisdiction over
the company, using the Annual Medical Report
(AMR) Form.

16. Monitoring and Evaluation
In compliance with the DOLE requirements on
OSH Programs pursuant to D.O. 198, series
2018, the latest copy of the company policy and
program shall be submitted to the DOLE
Regional Office having jurisdiction over the
company.

17. Penalties
Any violations in this Guidelines, shall be dealt
with in accordance with the provisions of
existing labor laws and regulations, particularly
RA 11058, as may be applicable.

18. Compliance and Enforcement
Compliance of all workplaces and
establishments in the private sector to this
Guidelines shall be enforced by the DOLE
Regional Office which has jurisdiction over the
company, in accordance with RA 11058.

19. MENTAL HEALTH
ADVOCACY AND
AWARENESS RAISING
Starting up.....

20. WHAT IS MENTAL
HEALTH?

21. WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?
“A state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes
his or her own potential, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and
is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”
World Health Organization (2014)

22. WHAT IS MENTAL WELLBEING?
is more than the absence of mental illness and it is
more than feeling happy. It is the ability to cope
with the day-to-day stresses of life, work
productively, interact positively with others and
realise our own potential.

23. WHAT IS MENTAL ILLNESS?
Mental illnesses are health conditions involving
changes in emotion, thinking or behaviour (or a
combination of these). Mental illnesses are
associated with distress and/or problems
functioning in social, work or family activities

24. WHY MENTAL WELLBEING IS IMPORTANT?
• Mental wellbeing is one of our most valuable assets.
• Nearly one in two individuals are likely to meet the criteria for a mental
illness at some time in their lives.
• Like any health condition, mental health problems can affect a person’s
functioning at work and present substantial costs to workplaces.
• Workplaces can actively build resilience and nurture mental wellbeing.
• Workplaces that prioritise mental wellbeing have better engagement,
reduced absenteeism, higher productivity and competitiveness.

25. MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM

26. MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM

27. MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM

28. MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM

29. MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM

30. MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM

31. Mental
Wellbeing
I have no diagnosis.
I am well and enjoying
my life
I have no diagnosis,
but I am not coping
and I am not happy
I have a mental health
diagnosis but I am
coping well and
enjoying my life
I have a mental health
diagnosis but
I am not coping and I
am not happy
Good wellbeing
Poor wellbeing
MENTAL HEALTH CONTINUUM

33. STRESS
The degree to which you feel
overwhelmed or unable to
cope as a result of pressures
that are unmanageable.
(Covid 19)

34. Stress is not a psychiatric diagnosis, but it's
closely related to your mental health as:
 Stress can be the cause mental health problems and
make existing problems worse. For example, if you
often struggle to manage feelings of stress, you might
develop a mental health problem like anxiety or
depression.
 Mental health problems can cause stress. You might
find coping with the day-to-day symptoms of your
mental health problem, as well as potentially needing to
manage medication, heath care appointments or
treatments, can become extra sources of stress.
 Stress can impact on how you feel Physically

35. COVID 19 PANDEMIC

36. FEAR
Fear is one of the most powerful
emotions it can have a very
strong effect on our minds and
body for example, if we are
caught in a dangerous situation
or if we are being attacked

37. Difference between Anxiety and GAD
 Short-term Anxiety Everyone - even those that don’t
have anxiety - can get anxiety when confronted with a
situation that causes nervousness. People get anxious
on first dates, before tests, when they have a meeting
with their boss; anxiety is an incredibly normal
experience, but one that is disruptive nonetheless
 Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) When someone has
GAD, their fight or flight system is firing all throughout the
day at low levels, and occasionally can pick up at random
times. This may cause shaking to occur for what seems to be
no reason.
 You're most likely to be diagnosed with GAD if you
have had symptoms for 6 months or more

38. PANIC ATTACK
A panic attacks create a feeling of
sudden and intense anxiety.
Panic attacks can also have physical
symptoms, including shaking, feeling
disorientated, nausea, rapid, irregular
heartbeats, dry mouth, breathlessness,
sweating and dizziness.

39. Difference between Panic attack and Panic disorder
 It is also possible to experience panic attacks during a
stressful life event then never experience them again.
For example, a person who is a victim of a crime or
experiences a natural disaster – COVID 19 may have a
panic attack during that event.
 To be diagnosed with panic disorder, a person would
need to have recurrent and unexpected panic attacks

40. Typical co-occurring conditions can include:

41. DEPRESSION
Depression is a common mental
disorder, characterized by persistent
sadness and a loss of interest in
activities that you normally enjoy,
accompanied by an inability to carry out
daily activities.

42. SOME COMMON TYPES OF
DEPRESSION
Dysthymia
Depressive Episode
Bipolar Disorder
Postnatal Depression
Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD)

43. PROVIDING APPROPRIATE SUPPORT

44. FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE MENTAL WELLBEING IN THE
WORKPLACE

45. THE FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING

46. WHY THE FIVE WAYS?
• Like physical health, we can all benefit from looking after our mental
health.
• Research has identified five simple things we can do – the Five Ways*.
• When practised regularly, they build resilience, boost wellbeing and
offer some protection from developing mental health problems.
• They’re beneficial for everyone, whether you have a mental health
problem or not.

47. Building connections with colleagues,
friends, and others will support and enrich
you every day. It also builds a support
network for when times get tough. Connect
with the people around you. With family,
friends, colleagues and neighbours. At
home, work, school or in your local
community. Think of these as the
cornerstones of your life and invest time in
developing them.

48. Getting physically active every day is
great for our bodies and minds. It can
improve mental wellbeing and lower
rates of depression and anxiety.
Discover a physical activity you enjoy
and one that suits your level of mobility
and fitness.
Go for a walk or run.
Step outside.
Cycle.
Play a game.
Garden.
Dance.

49. Paying more attention to the present
moment, to your thoughts and feelings and
to the world around, can boost mental
wellbeing.
Reflecting on your experiences will help you
appreciate what matters to you.
Be curious.
Catch sight of the beautiful.
Remark on the unusual.
Notice the changing seasons.
Savour the moment, whether you are
walking to work, eating lunch or talking to
friends.

50. Exploring new ideas, seeking out new
experiences and sharpening our skills
positively stimulates the brain.
Set yourself a challenge you will enjoy
achieving.
Try something new.
Rediscover an old interest.
Sign up for that course.
Take on a different responsibility at
work.
Fix a bike.
Learn to play an instrument or how to
cook your favourite food.

51. Carrying out acts of kindness, whether
small or large, can increase happiness,
life satisfaction and general sense of
wellbeing.
It is more than just sharing material
things with others. It’s about cultivating
a spirit of generosity and actively
supporting others.
Do something nice for a friend or
stranger.
Thank someone.
Smile.
Volunteer your time.
Join a community group.