BAGUIO CITY – With the fast changing lifestyles as well as demands and expectations related to work nowadays, stress and burnout have become part of the hazards of work.
Recognizing the need for sound mental health in coping with the demands of everyday life especially in the workplace, the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) in partnership with the Luis Hidalgo Lim Memorial Foundation is launching a program dubbed as “Nationwide Search for the Best Mental Health in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.”
PMHA Executive Manager Janet Calado said the reason for the program’s launching is to give due recognition to outstanding mental health programs which have creatively evolved positive values and positive attitudes towards oneself and others for administrators, teachers and non-teaching personnel in their respective regions.
Mental health practices that should have been observed as output or outcome for two years by October 2005 are as follows: effective stress management among the staff; good working conditions; transparency; encouragement of open communication between staff and management or among co-workers; sound benefits and or incentives of staff; promotion of worthwhile activities and practices that maintain physical and mental health, and promotion of balance between work and play.
Activities and programs that promote the well-being of the staff/personnel as criteria in judging for a sound mental health practice should be staff development programs such as trainings, seminars and value formation to enhance and promote mental health of personnel, regular or institutionalized programs/activities that promote mental health in the work place such as stress management programs/activities and contest for a stress-free workplace and activities that promote a balance between physical and mental health among the staff such as sports and cultural activities.
Nomination forms are available at the PMHA Office located at cor. BGH exit Road, Marcos Highway, Baguio City with the entries to be submitted to their office on or before March 30, 2005.
Calado said the pre-screening will be announced after the submission of entries while participating schools will be informed later on the final screening.
Winners at the regional and national levels will receive cash prizes, trophies and certificates.
Moreover, the First Lakas Isip ng Kabataan (LINK) Club Summer Camp with the theme, “Kalusugang Pangkaisipan, Yaman ng Kabataan” will be held on April 27-30, 2005 at the Tuba National High School Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet.
This will be participated in by LINK Club members and officers and Kampus Bayani from Baguio and Benguet with a registration fee of P200.00 per participant.
Deadline of registration together with the fee will be on March 31, 2005 at the PMHA office.