DFA Consular Office in Tacloban Observes National Mental Health Week, World Mental Health Day 2020

TACLOBAN CITY 13 October 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office (CO) in Tacloban observed the National Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day 2020 with a unifying theme, “Mental Health For All: Greater Investment – Greater Access” on 09 October 2020. 

The said observance happened through Google Meet, with CO on-duty and work-from-home (WFH) personnel participating. Mr. Audrey Cumla, CO’s Alternate GAD Focal Person and a graduate of BASS Psychology from the University of the Philippines in the Visayas Tacloban College (UPVTC), shared a presentation entitled “Mental Health Awareness: Breaking the Stigma” geared to bring consciousness among CO personnel that mental health should also be prioritized, aside from physical health, as it also plays an integral part in one’s overall well-being.

The discussion kicked-off with an introduction on the definition of mental health, and the various factors affecting it, as well as common warning signs of mental illness. The presentation was likewise tailored to provide a picture on the status of Filipinos’ mental health through figures and statistics gained from local research studies. 

The activity also forms part of CO’s wellness virtual program designed to provide awareness on workplace stressors and emphasize practical tips on how staff can cope with stress in the midst of the current pandemic.

The CO’s initiatives in observance of this year’s National Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day highlighted the importance of recognizing various mental health issues around the world and the corresponding mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. Through this, CO hopes that its personnel will become a part of the disintegration of the long-etched stigma that society has for mental health. END

(Tacloban CO photos)