We’re no strangers to how stress at work affects our mental health. In line with this, the Baguio Chronicle’s Health Matters podcast recently spotlighted “Mental Health in the Workplace” as a special segment for National Mental Health Month in the Philippines.
Hosted by Manang Lucy, the episode features Gina Camsol, Executive Manager of the Baguio Regional Chapter of the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA).
Their discussion on Health Matters underscores the need for proactive mental health strategies, community support, and individual resilience, which are especially pertinent as mental health concerns among Filipinos and around the world continue to escalate.
The role and reach of PMHA
PMHA initially focused on Baguio and Benguet, but it has since expanded to serve the wider Cordillera region. Its mission is simple yet profound: to foster sound mental health across communities through education, advocacy, and outreach. Camsol highlights PMHA’s two main initiatives:
- Education, Advocacy, and Research: Through lectures and seminars, PMHA clarifies common mental health misconceptions, such as the stigma around consulting mental health professionals. By educating the public on managing stress and practicing healthy coping mechanisms, PMHA aims to normalize mental health support.
- Community-Based Mental Health Programs: These programs involve training barangay health workers to recognize the early signs of mental health issues. Positioned at the grassroots level, health workers are the first point of contact, so they make it easier for communities to access timely mental health services.
The silent pandemic – mental health post-COVID-19
COVID-19 brought with it what Camsol calls a “silent pandemic” of mental health issues.
Since the pandemic, anxiety has overtaken depression as the most common mental health concern among Filipinos. For young professionals, especially those under 30, work-induced stress has contributed significantly to these mental health challenges.
Camsol mentions that job uncertainty, financial insecurity, and pandemic-induced isolation have all compounded workplace stress, leading to the increased incidence of burnout, anxiety, and depression.
Job burnout and its causes
Burnout, according to Camsol, is the result of prolonged, unaddressed stress. Unlike day-to-day stress, which can fluctuate, burnout emerges from a persistent imbalance between stressors and coping mechanisms. In the workplace, burnout often stems from:
- Poor Communication: When employees feel unheard or overlooked, frustration builds.
- Overwork and Under-resourced Jobs: Mismatched workloads and skill levels can lead to unmanageable stress, especially if employees are expected to perform tasks without adequate resources.
- Unclear Policies and Role Ambiguity: Unclear policies or lack of guidance can leave employees confused and anxious.
- Financial Concerns: It’s not only about how much one earns but also the insecurity about job stability.
- Generational Differences in Work Values: Younger employees often seek work-life balance, whereas older leaders may prioritize endurance. This clash of expectations can create tension, so leaders need to adapt to modern work-life balance values.
- Lack of Recognition: Simple expressions of acknowledgment like “thank you” or “great job” can significantly boost morale, yet they’re often overlooked.
Shifting responsibility – the 30/70 principle
A unique concept that Camsol introduces during the podcast is the “30/70 principle” of stress.
According to research, only 30 percent of workplace stress comes from external factors like work demands, bosses, and colleagues. Surprisingly, the remaining 70 percent stems from how individuals react to these factors.
Camsol emphasizes that workers have more control than they might realize—especially when it comes to deciding how to spend their time outside work.
For example, choosing to focus on one’s family or hobbies after hours instead of ruminating about work can significantly improve one’s mental resilience. This revelation reframes stress management as something largely within an individual’s control.
This is why Camsol urges employees to communicate openly about workloads and deadlines rather than silently enduring, as honest dialogue can help supervisors recognize when demands are unreasonable.
Building resilience and positive coping mechanisms
Recognizing that workplace stressors are inevitable, Camsol stresses the importance of self-awareness and positive coping strategies. She offers an analogy of stress as a bucket that fills up with daily pressures. “Faucets,” or ways to release stress, help prevent the bucket from overflowing.
Common “faucets” include:
- Exercise: Physical activity is a well-documented stress reliever.
- Social Connections: Spending time with friends or engaging in hobbies can be therapeutic.
- Healthy Sleep Habits: Quality sleep is essential for mental clarity and emotional regulation.
However, many people rely solely on sleep to cope, leaving them vulnerable to emotional overload.
Expanding one’s “faucets” provides healthier ways to decompress and prevents stress from accumulating unchecked.
The importance of self-awareness and work-life balance
Camsol also highlights self-awareness as a key to mental health. Recognizing personal limits, like the difficulty of saying “no” to tasks, can help people protect their mental wellbeing.
Establishing a clear boundary between work and personal time is also crucial, especially in this age where technology keeps work within arm’s reach 24/7.
Camsol reminds listeners that the Mental Health Act (RA 11036) mandates all Philippine offices to implement workplace mental health programs. Through these initiatives, workplaces can create an environment where mental health is prioritized, reducing the stigma around seeking help.
Expanding mental health services across the region
While Baguio and Benguet benefit from PMHA and other mental health resources, Camsol notes that services are scarcer in remote areas like Apayao and Kalinga and other parts of Cordillera.
PMHA hopes to extend its reach, so mental health support becomes more accessible to every Filipino, regardless of location. Until then, the organization remains committed to its community-based programs and is exploring partnerships with local government units (LGUs) to bring mental health awareness into rural areas.
Practical tips to reduce workplace stress
The episode concludes with practical suggestions for managing workplace stress, applicable to all employees:
- Be Transparent: Communicate your limits and avoid taking on more than you can manage.
- Set Boundaries: Once work hours are over, disengage and focus on your personal life.
- Develop Positive Outlets: Find hobbies or activities outside of work that allow you to recharge.
A call for collaboration
Baguio Chronicle’s mental health in the workplace podcast ends with a call to action: workplaces, communities, and individuals alike should strive to prioritize mental health.
With PMHA’s support and the guidance of experts like Camsol, the community can better understand, manage, and destigmatize mental health issues, making the workplace—and life—more manageable and fulfilling for everyone.