Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) demonstrates its commitment to the mental health and psychological well-being of its university community through the services offered by its Guidance and Counseling Services Office. Recognizing that employees may experience personal difficulties, emotional distress, relationship concerns, workplace pressures, and other challenges that can affect their overall well-being, the University promotes access to counseling as an important component of a supportive and caring institutional environment.

Through its counseling appointment system, the Guidance and Counseling Services Office provide individuals with opportunities to seek professional guidance and discuss their concerns in a supportive setting. Counseling appointments are available both in person and online, offering flexible access for individuals who may prefer face-to-face consultations or remote assistance. The appointment process allows interested individuals to submit a request through a QR code or online appointment request form, after which the office provides a response through email within one to three days. This accessible arrangement helps individuals initiate contact with the office and seek appropriate support when they need someone to talk to.

For EVSU personnel, the availability of counseling services can contribute to early help-seeking, emotional coping, stress management, and the prevention of concerns from escalating into more serious difficulties. By promoting counseling as a positive step toward self-care, the University helps foster a culture in which seeking mental health support is encouraged and individuals are reminded that they do not have to face their challenges alone.

This initiative supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by promoting access to mental health support and encouraging individuals to prioritize their psychological and emotional welfare. It also reinforces EVSU’s commitment to cultivating a compassionate, inclusive, and supportive university environment where the well-being of its personnel is recognized as an essential part of institutional effectiveness and sustainable development.

On September 12, 2025, Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) strengthened its commitment to employee mental health and well-being through a Gender Sensitivity Seminar themed “Empathy in Action: Building Inclusive Teams through Self-Awareness and Gender Sensitivity.” The activity brought together selected university employees and students to promote an inclusive, equitable, and supportive university environment. A key session, “Caring for Yourself and Others: A Guide to Mental Health,” emphasized the importance of mental health awareness, self-care, and the shared responsibility of fostering psychological well-being within the university community.

The seminar contributed to EVSU’s efforts to support personnel by raising awareness of mental health concerns and encouraging empathy, mutual respect, and understanding in professional and interpersonal relationships. By integrating mental health education into its employee development and gender sensitivity initiatives, the University reinforces the importance of recognizing emotional needs, practicing healthy coping strategies, and creating a workplace where colleagues can support one another without stigma or discrimination. Discussions on gender identity, breaking stereotypes, and gender-sensitive teamwork further supported the development of respectful working relationships and a more psychologically supportive institutional culture.

This initiative demonstrates EVSU’s proactive approach to promoting mental health awareness as an important component of employee welfare. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), while also advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Although the seminar primarily demonstrates mental health education and awareness rather than direct counseling provision, it represents a meaningful institutional effort to strengthen the conditions that support staff well-being and encourage a more caring, inclusive, and responsive workplace.

Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), in collaboration with the College of Education’s Culture, Arts, and Physical Education Department, launched Project DEAR (Drop Everything and Relax on Fridays) on April 5, 2025, as a health and wellness initiative designed to promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the university community. The program encourages faculty members, non-teaching personnel, and students to take intentional breaks from their daily academic and administrative responsibilities and participate in wellness activities that support a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Through its Friday wellness activities, Project DEAR provides opportunities for employees to engage in light physical exercises, Zumba sessions, relaxation, and community-building activities. These activities help promote stress management, encourage healthy coping practices, and create opportunities for positive social interaction among colleagues. By incorporating enjoyable and accessible wellness activities into the university environment, EVSU recognizes the importance of taking breaks from work-related demands and maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being.

Project DEAR also contributes to a more supportive workplace culture by bringing members of the university community together in an environment that values self-care, camaraderie, and holistic wellness. Participation in shared recreational activities can help strengthen interpersonal relationships, foster a sense of belonging, and encourage employees to recognize mental and emotional well-being as essential components of their overall health.

Through this initiative, EVSU demonstrates its proactive commitment to mental health promotion and preventive wellness for faculty and staff, complementing other institutional efforts to raise mental health awareness and provide psychosocial support. Project DEAR directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by promoting healthy lifestyles, stress reduction, and the holistic welfare of university personnel. While the program primarily provides preventive wellness opportunities rather than clinical counseling, it represents an institutional effort to cultivate a healthier, more resilient, and more supportive working environment.

Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Dulag Campus strengthened its commitment to employee mental health and psychological well-being by conducting a Psychological First Aid (PFA) Training for Employees on November 28, 2025. The initiative aimed to equip university personnel with essential knowledge and practical skills to provide immediate emotional support and comfort to colleagues and students experiencing psychological distress, particularly following stressful or traumatic events. The training was facilitated by resource persons Dr. Cherie Guy B. Giray, Registered Guidance Counselor (RGC), and Ms. Normae C. Ecija, Registered Guidance Counselor (RGC), and was hosted by Bonina Carla B. Salvo.

The training represents an important institutional effort to strengthen the capacity of employees to recognize signs of distress, respond with empathy, and offer appropriate initial support to members of the university community who may be experiencing emotional difficulties. By building personnel’s understanding of psychological first aid, EVSU Dulag Campus promotes a more responsive and compassionate working environment in which mental health concerns are acknowledged and individuals experiencing distress can receive timely initial assistance and guidance toward appropriate support.

Beyond individual capacity-building, the initiative reinforces the importance of integrating mental health awareness and psychosocial support into the university’s broader employee welfare efforts. Equipping staff with psychological first aid skills can help strengthen peer support, encourage early recognition of emotional difficulties, and promote appropriate responses to challenging or potentially traumatic situations. The involvement of registered guidance counselors further underscores the role of trained professionals in supporting the development of mental health awareness and response capabilities within the campus community.

Through this initiative, EVSU Dulag Campus demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding the psychological well-being of its personnel and fostering a workplace culture grounded in empathy, preparedness, and mutual support. The activity contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) by advancing mental health awareness, psychosocial preparedness, and the capacity to respond to emotional distress. It also complements the University’s broader efforts to create a healthy, inclusive, and supportive environment where employees’ mental health is recognized as an essential dimension of institutional well-being.