DFA Consular Office in Cagayan de Oro Holds Mental Health and Wellness Webinar

CAGAYAN DE ORO 29 November 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office in Cagayan de Oro conducted a webinar on Mental Health and Wellness, themed “Caring for Mental Health in the New Normal” on 28 November 2020. The Office invited as resource speakers, Dr. Benson C. Go, Chief of Hospital II of the Department of Health (DOH) Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Cagayan de Oro, and Olivia Thereza J. Pajente-Pelagio, Clinical Psychologist at HealthCheck Clinic & Diagnostic Center.

In the webinar, Dr. Go introduced the fundamental concepts of Mental Health and focused on defining what constitutesa mentally sound individual. He also highlighted the effects of higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression on an individual’s productivity and self-worth. On the other hand, Ms. Pelagio conducted activities on stress management and provided several coping and self-care strategies to help CO personnel adapt to the ‘New Normal.’

“Uncertainty brought about by the pandemic and this new normal has surely caused mixed emotions of fear, anxiety, and stress, but with today’s webinar, we hope that it has highlighted the significance of good mental health and provided effective self-care strategies to cope with our current situation, especially in the workplace setting,” said the Head of Office, Ms. Rowena F. Neri, in her closing remarks as she emphasized the significance of tackling mental health issues especially in these extraordinarily stressful circumstances.

The four-hour webinar was conducted as part of the Consular Office’s Gender and Development (GAD) activities. END

Group photo during the first session of the webinar. (Cagayan de Oro CO photo)

Group photo during the second session of the webinar. (Cagayan de Oro CO photo)