Google organized a Well-being Day to facilitate a helpful discussion led by Ronald Del Castillo, PsyD, MPH of DIWA Mental Health

As the pandemic continues to take a toll on people’s mental and digital well-being, Google organized a Well-being Day to facilitate a helpful discussion led by Ronald Del Castillo, PsyD, MPH of DIWA Mental Health. Other speakers include Geia Lopez from Google, and YouTube creators Janina Vela, Lyqa Maravilla, and Madam Ely. You can rewatch the event on Google Ph’s YouTube channel. 

 

Here are some tips from the discussion that can help protect your mental and digital well-being:

 

1. Try journaling

 

If you’re feeling overburdened, try journaling and writing down positive experiences. Using an actual pen and paper can help slow down your mind as it will follow the pace of your writing hand. This also provides an opportunity for positive self-talk and identifying negative thoughts and behaviors. Identifying stressors will help you work on a plan to resolve problems.

 

2. 25 on, 5 off

 

For working professionals, try the technique of working for 25 minutes straight followed by a five-minute break throughout the day. Do this four to five times then take a longer break for 15 minutes. By repeating this process throughout the day, you can be productive and less stressed at the same time on a busy day.  

 

3. Take deep breaths

 

Feeling overwhelmed? Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique which involves breathing in for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds through the mouth. This type of deep, rhythmic breathing is relaxing and may help ease people into sleep.

 

4. Practice doing nothing

 

Being constantly busy can lead to higher levels of stress. There is value in spending time in silence, nature, and not engaging in constant external stimulation. We need time doing ‘nothing’ to be our best selves: this means disconnecting from gadgets, media, and work for a few minutes or an hour. 

 

5. Have healthier arguments

 

Arguments are part of life and there are ways to make them healthy. According to Dr. Del Castillo of DIWA Mental Health, having healthy arguments means using “I” rather than “you” statements: do not call each other names, focus on the issue at hand, offer a solution, check your voice and tone, and most importantly, listen and take turns.

 

6. Set bite-sized goals, not mouthful chunks

 

When there are many things that demand your attention, it’s important to take a step back and list down priorities. Break down big tasks to small ones and set realistic deadlines. Making small yet progressive strides is efficient and can give a sense of accomplishment which is important in reducing stress levels. 

 

7. Find a balance with technology

 

                  

 

Google’s Digital Wellbeing tools can help you be more aware of your digital habits to be able to form healthy ones. For instance, its Dashboard feature gives a daily view of how often you check your phone and how frequently you use different apps. It allows you to set limits with daily app timers which pause apps or websites for the day when the timer runs out.

 

8. Minimize the number of times you pick up your phone

 

To minimize distractions and the number of times you pick up your phone, you can use Google Assistant to do simple tasks like checking the time without actually having to hold your phone.

 

9. Focus when you need to

 

Minimizing distractions is key. Through the Digital Wellbeing’s Focus Mode, you can see which apps distract you the most and choose which ones you want to pause or take a break from. Once set, your distracting apps will be inaccessible until the timer goes off.

 

10. Create a bedtime schedule and stick with it

 

        Having consistent bedtime routines plays an important role in reducing late-           night stress and anxiety. With Digital Wellbeing’s Bedtime mode, you can set a bedtime schedule that will automatically turn on the Do Not Disturb feature so that you won’t be alerted by notifications. It also fades your screen to grayscale to prevent bright colors and light stimulating your brain when you need to shut down.

 

11. Get help when you need it

Acknowledging you need help is the first step towards a solution and healthier mental well-being -- but where does one go to get said help? Google Search now instantly shows the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline (0966-351-4518) when a person types in related keywords to remind and prompt people to seek professional help during their vulnerable state.

 

For more information about Digital Wellbeing tools and programs, visit wellbeing.google. 

 

The 27th National Public Relations Congress, a three-day virtual conference set for February 17 to 19, will tackle mental health in the workplace

Mental health is the third most common disability in the country, with about 6 million Filipinos living with depression and/or anxiety, according to WHO. Lack of data fails to present an accurate and complete picture of the status of mental health in the Philippines today, but previous studies by WHO, the Philippine Statistics Office and other bodies indicate mental health is a serious – and growing – concern. 

 

As the pandemic continues to unsettle the country, constricting the economy, causing deaths and job losses, disrupting education and work, and painting an even more uncertain future for Filipinos, the number of people with anxiety and other similar mental health concerns is estimated to have risen further. The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) reported a marked increase in calls received during the pandemic than before, with monthly average from March to May last year more than double the monthly average from May 2019 to February 2020 or before the pandemic. Calls received by the NCMH related to suicide likewise spiked.

The upcoming 27^th National Public Relations Congress, an annual gathering of communication practitioners from across the different industries and sectors of society, will tackle this pressing matter this February 17 to 19. Mental health in the workplace, in particular, will be a hot topic scheduled for the third day, which will be dedicated to deep diving into narratives punctuating many of today’s business actions and discussions, especially on social media, such as the environment, equality, diversity and leadership. 

 

Jane Fordham, a strategic people consultant with two decades of experience in agencies and the creative industries, will share her insights on how to ensure mental health in the workplace, noting how the PR industry is often perceived as very stressful. The discussion will try to look into ways of detecting mental health needs among office and work team members, how organizations and businesses can create an atmosphere of positivity and collaboration in the workplace, and what measures or programs should be in place to assist team members with mental health needs.

Themed Transcend, the 27^th National PR Congress hopes to enjoin communication practitioners to work more closely together to contribute to addressing social issues and make a lasting impact on the nation in line with PRSP’s 2020 theme of PR for Good. The annual conference will likewise explore the outlook for the PR industry as it rebounds from the setbacks resulting from the pandemic and gears up for the challenges and opportunities in this new decade. 

 

PRSP President Norman Agatep, APR, said: “As we revisit our business plans and strategies for this new year and decade, we must also look into how we can better work with the society to address concerns that impact not just businesses and the economy but the whole nation. That is part of our commitment as the industry storytellers.”

Ana Pista, PRSP vice president for external affairs and Congress chair, added: “As in previous congresses, we want this annual conference to be a platform for meaningful discussions and exploring solutions to our problems as an industry and nation. Mental health is a serious matter, one of many issues we need to prioritize, and we hope that through the Congress we can help start the discussion on how to ensure we have the right programs in place for our people.”

 

For more information about the 27th National Public Relations Congress, visit the event website or Facebook page or contact Lessa Azcarraga at lessa.azcarraga@ardent.com.ph. 

 

Maxicare offers a Specialized Care Program for Mental Health Conditions

With the rising problem of mental health issues in the Philippines, Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, the country’s leading healthcare provider, is now offering a new support program that extends its medical services to members dealing with mental health concerns.

The first HMO in the country to offer a Specialized Care Program for Mental Health Conditions, Maxicare’s most up-to-date program offers psychiatrist consultations and initial medical consultations that can be availed directly from Primary Care Centers, a hotline, and Corporate Clinics.

Members can avail of the program in three ways: they can visit Maxicare’s new generation PCCs to consult with available specialists; dial the hotline (02) 582-1980 for a 24/7 Teleconsult where patients can talk to an available doctor about mental health issues anytime; or visit their Corporate Clinic to avail comfortable and convenient general consultations with corporate physicians.

Maxicare’s Primary Care Centres are located in the following areas: 2F Zeta Tower, Bridgetowne IT Park C5 corner Ortigas Avenue Extension, Quezon City; and Ground Floor, W City Center 7th Avenue corner 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. You may also call (02) 908-6959 or (02) 908-6957 to check the availability of Maxicare’s mental health specialists.

For more information, visit www.maxicare.com.ph or their facebook page www.facebook.com/maxicarehealthcarecorporation.