Behind every empowered Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) household beneficiary is a case manager who listens, guides, and genuinely cares. Every day, these dedicated case managers, usually known as the City/Municipal Links (C/MLs) visit communities, conduct home visits, and help 4Ps household beneficiaries navigate challenges in education, health, nutrition and livelihood. Their compassion fuels the mission of the 4Ps, to uplift Filipino families from poverty through empowerment and opportunity.
A World Bank training needs assessment found major mental health challenges among C/MLs. About 60% said they often feel stressed, showing the need for better stress management. Half mentioned that stigma stops them from seeking help, while 30% said they don’t know much about mental health. Around 65% also said they’re too busy to focus on their well-being.
The DSWD Field Office 1 – Ilocos Region (DSWD FO 1) 4Ps Division understands the need to care for its own staff. While efforts have been made to ease workloads, such as reducing caseloads, providing equipment, developing electronic-case management systems and offering training programs, mental health support remains limited. With this, the Division launched the first-ever Training for the Promotion of Mental Health for 4Ps Case Workers. This initiative directly supports the well-being of 148 C/MLs who devoted their time and energy to serving others. The training equips the case managers with tools to manage stress, strengthen emotional resilience, and find a fitting work-life balance.
Adding heart and depth to the training was the PUSO (Pag-usapan ang Ukol sa Sarili at Organisasyon) session, led by 4Ps Division Chief Rosalyn L. Descallar. Participants engaged in a heart-to-heart exchange, where they freely shared their challenges, hopes, and stories that they usually keep private. For many, it was not just another training; it was a rare chance to pause, reflect, and feel truly seen and heard.
Bilang isang ML, araw-araw ay puno ng hamon ang aming trabaho. Hindi lang basta pagconduct ng activities, paggawa ng reports, at pagasikaso sa caseload, kami rin ang humaharap kapag may concerns o grievances. Minsan, kami ang nakakarinig ng masasakit na salita, at madalas ay nadadala namin ang bigat ng mga hinaing na iyon sa puso namin. Kaya natutuwa po ako na nagkaroon ng ganitong activity, it made us feel seen and heard (As ML, our work is full of challenges every day. It is not just about conducting activities, making reports, or handling our caseload. We are also the ones that receive concerns and grievances. Occasionally, we are the ones who hear hurtful words, and often, we carry the weight of those complaints in our hearts. This is why I appreciate DSWD for holding this kind of activity; as it made us feel seen and heard),” shared Angielyn-May C. Meneses, Municipal Link stationed in the Municipal Operations Office in Basista, Pangasinan.
More than just training, this initiative sends a powerful message: self-care is not selfish, it’s essential. By investing in and taking care of the mental health of those who wholeheartedly serve anytime and anywhere, the DSWD FO 1 fulfills its commitment to holistic service – one that values both its client-beneficiaries and the people behind the mission. This goes beyond the celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month in October, it’s a year-round promise to caring for the carers..
In all these efforts, DSWD continues to live by its guiding principle that bawat buhay ay mahalaga.