Davao City – DOLE XI advances its measures in advocating mental health for its employees. On its Monday convocation today, 07 September 2020, DOLE XI-HR Unit led a 5-minute mindful breathing exercise as a week start off for its employees.

Ms. Jan Kris Mare Roferos of DOLE XI-HR first conditioned the employees by telling them to free their minds from all worries, fears, and anxieties brought by triggering events recently.

Last night, 6 September 2020, 11:23PM the City was awakened by the strongest and longest earthquake by far for 2020. According to PhiVolcs, the epicenter was at Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental with a 6.4 magnitude, tectonic in origin. And just last 31 August 2020, 1:44AM, shaking was also felt in the City with Kiblawan, Davao del Sur as the epicenter.

Many people have taken their worries to social media noting that it was about this time last year when strong consecutive quakes occurred. With the recent earthquakes plus the growing number of COVID-19 cases, stress and anxiety levels have just been skyrocketing. And for some, it has just reached its peak. More and more have been expressing their experiences of panic and anxiety attacks. With this, issue on mental health has gained more attention than it has ever had before.

DOLE XI has not turned a blind eye on this. In the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Webinar Series conducted by the Department for its employees, it has incorporated the importance of mental health. The webinar highlighted the importance of having a better working environment through supporting and understanding each other in getting through these trying times.

RD Ofelia B. Domingo commended the activity conducted earlier and looks forward to more activities as such. She encouraged for this to be practiced weekly and also whenever one feels stressed or anxious or having panic attacks. She also added that teaching employees exercises like this can aid coping with stress and anxiety not only in work but in general.

𝑩𝒚: 𝑲𝒊𝒎 𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒂𝒏̃𝒂, 𝑳𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒓, 𝑫𝑶𝑳𝑬 𝑿𝑰