Have you ever heard of the DOLE 208-20? If you’re not too technical about the laws and all that, it’s okay. Because of the Mental Health Act and other relevant policies, the Department of Labor and Employment or DOLE has created a law that would further strengthen mental health and occupational safety in the workplace. This is great news! The Philippines, as a nation awakening to the mental health needs of the people, is now having strong laws that would be implemented to boost mental health wellness among Filipinos. With this, mental health care would be considered normal in the country.
For employers and other authorities, the DOLE 208-20 would mean an additional budget needed to invest in well-tailored mental health programs. DOLE has encouraged employers and other authorities in companies and establishments to elevate mental health. This includes the awareness, identification, and management of mental health problems to the proper in-house or outsourced psychologist. It’s not only limited to citizens residing in the country but includes the Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs. In this blog, we will be talking about the DOLE 208-20 and its implications
The DOLE 208-20 In A Nutshell
The DOLE 208-20 issued by the Department of Labor and Employment last February 11, 2020, is line to the Republic Act No. 11036, also known as the “Mental Health Act”. This makes all workplaces value the importance of mental health. As mentioned, the said law is to further strengthen the mental health policies and programs in the workplace.
This includes Filipino workers who are disabled, those diagnosed with mental health disorders, the LGBTQ community, and other PWDs. The law makes it mandatory for all workplaces and establishments to have a mental health policy and program implemented to promote worker’s wellbeing. This law can also extend to benefit the worker’s families and other dependents for mental health support.
Scope of the DOLE 208-20
The issuance also allows the mental health programs of these private companies and establishments to construct the mental health policy and program to be merged to their Occupational Safety and Health policy and program or OHS. This can be further known as Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to be shared with all workers for awareness. Mental Health Policies and Programs can be also extended to the worker’s family members and dependents through CSR Programs (Corporate Social Responsibility) to provide a sound environment for the worker’s wellbeing.
The Mental Health Policies and Programs under this law should be:
- Aiming to advocate and inform workers – this is to make them aware of what is mental health, the importance thereof, their mental health rights, stress management, mental health concerns, and their benefits in workplace mental health. These are the basics when it comes to sharing information with workers.
- Enhancing Worker’s Wellbeing – mental health policies and programs should be inclined to promote mental health self-awareness, stress management, and identification of common mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
- Adhering to ethical standards – when it comes to mental health policy and programs, there is a need to have informed consent, confidentiality measures, non-discriminatory policies and practices, disclosure, and other relevant information.
- Referral system for treatment and rehabilitation – workplaces should invest in self-report assessment tools to determine mental health or hire an in-house or outsourced psychologist for formal assessment and diagnosis of mental health disorders.
- Comply with Benefits and Compensation – workers who have a mental health diagnosis shall receive benefits and compensation from their insurance and government agencies such as Philhealth, SSS, etc
- Support Program – when conducting mental health training as part of the mental health program, there should be an aftercare or support program to cater for the needs of the workers.
The DOLE 208-20 is indeed helpful in normalizing mental health in the workplace. However, you need the help of a good mental health service provider to deliver sound mental health trainings that your workers can benefit from.
Why Choose MPsych Services: Your Mental Health Partner
MPsych Services offer mental health trainings and other programs to improve mental health in the workplace. Because we know that the best asset of a company is not its own product nor services, but its people.
MPsych Services follow the business model: assess, train, and sustain. Know the following below:
Assess – MPsych Services have a commitment to assess your workplace and your employees in terms of the current policies, employee retention and satisfaction. There are various tools to be administered when assessing a workplace. For the employees, individual tests may be administered to further determine their job satisfaction and mental health status. The assessment results will tell the MPsych team what is the action plan to incorporate best in your workplace.
Train – MPsych Services will gather your company managers and regular employees to train them on how to manage and sustain a mental health-friendly workplace. Training your assets will also make them resilient to crisis and their individual mental health concerns. Teaching them about mental health awareness will also increase their knowledge of their right to have a fair and just workplace condition. Employees of your company will also tend to be more confident, collaborative, and cooperative with co-workers. Mental health service providers aim to train employees to be mentally ready and healthy.
Sustain – MPsych Services will do the after-care of your employees who had undergone mental health trainings and coaching. They will also have follow-up sessions to make sure that employees are still on track with their mental health wellness in the workplace. If there are any other concerns, they will help in creating a resolution. It is of vital importance that service providers in mental health continue to provide consultations and interventions to ensure quality mental health care and workplace wellness.
Get Onboard with MPsych Services: Your Mental Health Partner
MPsych Services knows that your employees are your company’s lifeline. You can start investing on the wellness of your employees to make them more productive and your business becomes more progressive through the mental health programs of MPsych. Check out our services here.