DSWD Strengthens Support for Employees Through Focus on Mental Health

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) strengthens their support for their employees and clients amidst the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The agency intensifies its support by giving professional psychosocial support to address all mental health concerns.

Social workers are one of the frontliners in the current crisis the world is facing.

Mental health first response and psychosocial first aid are being conducted by the Human Resource Management and Development Service (HRMDS).

“DSWD encourages officials and staff to avail of the free well-being coaching/counseling and crisis helpline services offered by our mental health and psycho-social support service partners, such as Mindwell Psychosocial Services and The Masters Psychosocial Services to help them deal with emotional crises, stress, and anxiety,” said Director Leonardo Reynoso, HRMDS head.

The agency has also social workers who are trained on psychosocial first aid and critical incident stress debriefing.

DSWD also has 3,300 personnel nationwide who benefitted from the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) to include stress debriefing, counseling, mindfulness sessions, peer support group, among others.

DSWD emphasized the importance of taking care of ones’ mental health especially in the time of a pandemic. (MLC)