ASSESSING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF LGU EMPLOYEES: BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT AND WELL-BEING

This study focused on the mental health of employees in the Municipal Government of Gasan, Marinduque. Specifically, it examined the demographic profiles of employees, assessed their emotional well-being, coping strategies, and experiences of stress, identified factors influencing their mental health, and explored their perceptions of the mental health support services available to them. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25 and Microsoft Excel 365 with the Stat Tool Package. Kendall’s Tau-b correlation analysis and the Kruskal–Wallis test were employed to examine relationships and group differences. For multiple comparisons, the Bonferroni correction was applied, adjusting the significance level to α = 0.000625. The results indicated no statistically significant differences in the mental health status of local government unit (LGU) employees when analyzed by demographic variables. Similarly, perceptions of mental health services provided by the LGU did not differ significantly across demographic groups. Across mental health indicators—including stress levels, coping mechanisms, emotional well-being, and contributing factors such as workload, interpersonal relationships, job security, and job satisfaction—no significant gender differences were found. Further analysis revealed no significant variation in stress, coping, or emotional well-being based on employment appointment type. However, a significant difference in stress levels was observed when respondents were grouped by length of service. Employees with 31 to 40 years of service reported the highest stress levels. Interestingly, this group also demonstrated more effective coping strategies and higher levels of emotional well-being, suggesting the possible development of psychological resilience or adaptation over time. Additionally, the study found a significant difference in job satisfaction between employment types: temporary employees reported greater satisfaction than job order workers. This finding may suggest that temporary positions provide greater alignment with individual expectations, autonomy, or work-life balance. These findings highlight the need for LGUs to implement targeted strategies that promote job satisfaction and collegial relationships while addressing workload management and job security to support sustainable employee mental health. The study recommends replicating this research in other regions of the Philippines to assess the generalizability of these results and to explore additional variables that may influence help-seeking behaviors and mental health outcomes. Keywords: Mental Health, LGU Employees, Well-Being, Wellness Program