The recently passed Philippine Mental Health Law will aid companies in helping their employees deal with stress and other psychological problems experienced in the workplace.
During the “Understanding Choices Forum on Mental Health” held in Cebu City, communications officer Gibby Gorres of the Office of Sen. Riza Hontiveros said the law will protect people with mental health issues against discrimination.
He said a referral system will be adapted by sectors in cases which need professional help from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Michael Godinez, asst. vice-president for human resources of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., which sponsored the forum, said most companies are unaware of the mental health of their workers even if they have human resource departments.
Godinez said a convention of HR managaers and practitioners in Cebu will be held in September this year to discuss ways on how to help employees deal with stress and other mental health issues./USJ-R Intern Zena V. Magto