Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.
What is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood and aging.
What are mental disorders?
Mental disorders are serious conditions which can affect your thinking, mood, and behavior. They may be occasional or long-lasting. They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day. Mental disorders are common; more than half of all Americans will be diagnosed with one at some time in their life. But there are treatments. People with mental disorders can get better, and many of them recover completely.
Why is mental health important?
- Mental health is important because it can help you to
- Cope with the stresses of life
- Be physically healthy
- Have good relationships
- Make meaningful contributions to your community
- Work productively
- Realize your full potential
The company recognizes that Mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and stress are commonly affecting individuals, their families and coworkers, and the broader community.
In addition, they have a direct impact on workplaces through increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased costs. As such, this Mental Health Workplace Policy and Program is hereby issued for the information and guidance of the employees.
The first objective of the policy is to ensure prevention of discrimination, income protection, safety and health of employees at work, and reduction of unemployment. The second objective is to facilitate free access to programs and medications of affected employees.
The House of IT Mental Health Program shall be managed by the management in cooperation of Human Resource Department and Department Heads.
This program is applicable to all employees regardless of their employment status and position.
The guidelines of the program are as follows:
A. PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES
1. Conducting of a Mental Health Advocacy, Training, and Education.
a) Promoting the mental wellbeing of all employees through: providing information and raising awareness about mental welfare, providing opportunities for employees to look after their mental health and promoting policies and practices that promote wellness.
b) Creating of preventive measures such as annual implementation of Mental Health Talk Seminar in partnership of our Health Care Provider.
c) Providing a work environment that promotes and supports mental security for all employees, offering assistance, advice, and support to people who experience a mental health problem while in employment and support for staff returning to work after a period of absence due to mental health problems.
B. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
1. The company shall adopt the DOLE implementing rules and guidelines in the management of workers with mental health problems. Mental Health findings, case holding, and reporting and Recording shall be in accordance with DOLE Occupational Safety and Health guidelines.
2. The company shall reimburse expenses of employee for his/her mental health treatment. The maximum reimbursable amount is PHP 5,000.00 annually.
3. The requesting employee shall adhere to the standard process and procedure of availing the Mental Health Benefit of House of IT. (Referring to the Section VI of this policy)
C. SOCIAL POLICY
1. Nondiscriminatory Policy and Practices
a) There shall be no discrimination of any form against employees from pre- to post-employment, including hiring, promotion, or assignment. The law protects employees who suffer from medical conditions (e.g. clinical depression) or mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia.) Consistent with our non- discrimination practices, we will treat these employees fairly and we won’t oblige anyone to disclose their condition or other medical information. Instead, we will attempt to support employees who come to us with mental health issues and establish strategies that apply to everyone.
b) Workplace management of sick employees shall not differ from that of any other illness. Persons with related illnesses should be able to work for as long as medically fit.
2. Work Accommodation and Arrangement
a) Agreements made between the company and employee’s representatives shall reflect measures that will support workers with mental health problems through flexible leave arrangements, rescheduling of working time and arrangement for return to work.
b) The employee may be allowed to return to work with reasonable working arrangements as determined by the his/her attending physicians with a fit to work medical certificate.
D. COMPENSATION
The company shall provide access to Social Security System and Employees Compensation benefits under the law in the performance of his/her duties.
V. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES
A. Employer’s Responsibilities
1. The Employer, together with the company focal personnel for human resources, safety and health personnel shall develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate the workplace policy and program on Mental Health.
2. The company must also provide information, education, and training on mental illness prevention for its workforce.
3. It is also imperative for the company to ensure nondiscriminatory practices in the workplace, as well as the confidentiality of the health status of its employees and the access to medical records is limited to authorized personnel only.
5. The Employer, through its Human Resources Department, shall see to it that their company policy and program is adequately funded and made known to all employees.
6. The Health and Safety Committee, together with employees shall jointly review the policy and program and continue to improve these by networking with government and organizations promoting Mental Health problem prevention.
B. Employees’ Responsibilities
1. The Employees are required to participate and join any various mental health seminars of the company.
2. Employees shall practice nondiscriminatory acts against coworkers.
3. Employees and their organization shall not have access to personnel data relating to a worker’s mental health status.
4. Employees shall comply with universal precaution and the preventive measures.
Refer to the flow chart for the process of availing the mental health benefit from the company:
Consequently, also refer to this other flow chart for the requesting the reimbursable amount of mental health treatment:
