Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) — Mental health is now considered a major issue among workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and companies must make efforts to address these concerns.
Zarah Hernaez, a certified mental health first aider, emphasized this dilemma since employees are experiencing high level of paranoia with safety concerns in workplaces and transportation going to and from their offices.
“The anxiety never really dies down. There’s that level of survival that we are all feeling because COVID-19 is still around. That’s something that really causes a lot of pain, anxiety, and even depression for a lot of people working,” Hernaez told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Tuesday.
Hernaez also encouraged corporate leaders to be conscious in speaking to their employees and prioritize their mental health, amid the pressures of work tasks in this time of pandemic.
“Empathetic communication within the organization towards their employees, the leaders downward, is so important right now,” she said.
Public relations practitioner Cathy Salceda-Ileto urged companies to have a holistic approach in tackling mental health issues among their workers, where they will be allowed to freely communicate their emotions and feelings.
“We can create a culture of ‘malasakit’ and reinforce positive messaging. Put people at the heart of your organization. You have to look into the broad aspects or themes of creating positive employee experiences,” Ileto said.
To further ease employees’ anxiety on being immunized with COVID-19 vaccine, Hernaez said employers must communicate with pharmaceutical firms and government officials to educate workers on the benefits of getting vaccinated.
Hernaez added employees must be given a choice, not forced, by the company to be inoculated.
If you are in need of mental health support, please call the 24/7 National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at (0917) 899-8727 or (02)7-989-8727 or 1553 (Landline-to-landline only).
