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Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a massive toll on people’s mental health. The World Health Organization (2022b) called for transformative and collective action to deal with the threats of mental ill health. In this context, leadership is urgently needed in the workplace and schools that have been increasingly mandated to mitigate the impact of stigma, prevent the onset of mental health problems, and support those dealing with mental illness. Despite these, there is little research on leadership in policymaking for the well-being of university faculty members and staff. This paper attempts to fill this knowledge gap by uncovering mental health-oriented leadership practices in a private university in the Philippines through a case study. Research methods included interviews with university leaders and content analysis of relevant policies and supporting documents. Findings show some leadership practices to ensure mental health for all by putting it on the agenda, formulating a university mental health policy, creating a dedicated center for implementing procedures for the well-being of faculty members and staff, and creating a system of ongoing multi-sectoral consultations. The results also identified the pillars of a whole-university approach to mental health leadership through policymaking. This study expands the idea of leading for well-being in a whole-university approach for faculty members and staff who are frontliners in the battle for mental health for all.

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