Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), a publicly listed natural resource development company in the Philippines, has launched a new internal program targeted at strengthening mental health support in the workplace. The company is training volunteer employees to become certified Mental Health Responders, offering emotional support to colleagues experiencing stress or mental health challenges.
The program, which is in line with NAC’s newly implemented mental health policy, seeks to create a more open, safe, and responsive corporate culture. According to NAC, the goal is to empower employees to provide non-clinical interventions, such as psychological first aid and basic mental health awareness.
“The goal is to turn up the conversation, stamp out the stigma, and promote self-seeking behavior, a healthy working atmosphere we aspire for at NAC,” said Dr. Bimbo Almonte, NAC’s Assistant Vice President for Occupational Health.
In 2025, a total of 92 employees signed up for the initiative, including 67 individuals from NAC’s operating companies nationwide. The company highlighted that the program is open to all employees from various departments and does not require a clinical background, reinforcing a peer-to-peer support structure within the organization.
Training for the program is provided by Mental Health First Response (MHFR), a registered consultancy that specializes in workplace mental health education. The initial training consists of an 8.5-hour session and culminates in certification for each participant.
“NAC takes charge in placing mental health as an integral part of the company’s health culture, where employees themselves take the responsibility of tackling mental health issues and providing support for each other,” Almonte added.
The initiative supports Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 on Good Health and Well-being and aligns with the World Health Organization’s guidance for structured workplace interventions on mental health.
Nickel Asia Corporation, which operates multiple nickel mining sites and a growing renewable energy portfolio, stated that the program showcases its broader commitment to sustainability, employee well-being, and responsible corporate citizenship.
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