“ADJAS Series: Take a Pause”

In our fast-paced, juggling work, family, and community obligations can easily lead to stress and burnout, making mental well-being a vital priority. To address this, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) launched the ADJAS Series—a thoughtful initiative designed to give employees the opportunity to take a break, recharge, and refocus.

On July 4-5, 2023, CCDC staff gathered at Admirals’ Farm Park for a two-day mental health retreat under the theme “Breaking the Noise of Monotony: PAUSE is not stopping but redeeming the self; gearing towards better services.” This retreat provided employees with a much-needed chance to step away from their usual routines, allowing them to unwind in a peaceful setting. The event centered on mental clarity, stress relief, and personal renewal, with activities that encouraged staff to focus on relaxation and self-care. By emphasizing the importance of taking time to disconnect, CCDC highlighted the role of mental well-being as a cornerstone of overall health and underscored how occasional pauses can enhance both personal resilience and professional productivity.

Continuing this commitment to mental health, CCDC organized a specialized Mental Health Therapy session in October exclusively for Student Development Officers (SDOs). Recognizing the emotionally intensive nature of their roles—providing crucial support to students’ psychological and emotional needs—this session offered these frontline staff a safe space to address their own well-being. Held in Pasig City, the therapy session focused on strengthening personal resilience, providing strategies for managing stress, and helping SDOs process work-related challenges. This support aims to empower them to continue offering effective assistance in demanding cases while maintaining their own mental health.

The ADJAS Series not only highlights CCDC’s commitment to fostering a healthy work environment but also serves as a model for promoting mental well-being across all levels of an organization. By encouraging employees to step back and recharge, CCDC exemplifies how even brief pauses can lead to meaningful improvements in both personal and professional growth.