Okada Manila drives mental health awareness with October initiatives

Okada Manila and the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) launched a mental health awareness programme for employees during October 2026. The resort lit its Crystal Corridor blue for one hour on 10 October as part of the “Light Up Blue for Mental Health” campaign and encouraged staff to wear blue in support of World Mental Health Day.

Partnership with the Philippine Mental Health Association and October schedule

The initiative is the result of collaboration between Okada Manila and the Philippine Mental Health Association. The resort began its slate of activities on 1 October with an advocacy and dialogue session designed to encourage open conversations about mental health among employees. The full programme of actions runs throughout October, during which Okada Manila stages internal activities linked to the psychological and social wellbeing of its workforce.

Light Up Blue on 10 October and World Mental Health Day participation

On 10 October, World Mental Health Day, Okada Manila participated in the “Light Up Blue for Mental Health” campaign. The resort illuminated the Crystal Corridor in blue for one hour as a visible sign of support. In addition to the lighting, staff were asked to wear blue garments that day to increase the visibility of the message among employees and visitors.

Access to on-site psychological consultations

Throughout October, Okada Manila is offering on-site psychological consultations to its employees in collaboration with Bofill Psychological Services Clinic. These in-person sessions are intended to make professional support available within the workplace and to reduce barriers to treatment for staff. The partnership with Bofill Psychological Services Clinic allows the resort to combine public awareness activities with accessible clinical care on site.

Okada Green Heart: sustainability and corporate social responsibility platform

The initiatives are implemented under the “Okada Green Heart” platform, which Okada Manila describes as its sustainability and social impact pillar. The Okada Green Heart programme encompasses actions aimed at employee safety, health and wellbeing. In this case the platform serves as the operational vehicle to coordinate advocacy, visibility activities and the clinical services provided during the month.

Message from human resources

Jerome Sarte, senior vice president of human resources at Okada Manila, explained the objective of the October activities.

"Mental health awareness becomes more meaningful when people feel they can speak openly, seek support, and look after one another," Jerome Sarte said.

Sarte added that, through Light Up Blue and the other actions scheduled for this Mental Health Month, the company aims to make mental health a more visible and everyday conversation among staff.

How the campaign is structured internally

The campaign combines three lines of work:

1. Training and awareness: the launch session on 1 October and informational activities during the month.

2. Symbolic signalling: the lighting of the Crystal Corridor and the call to wear blue on 10 October.

3. Professional support: on-site psychological consultations in collaboration with Bofill Psychological Services Clinic.

These elements aim to provide both visibility and practical access to care, with the intention of reducing stigma and making it easier for employees to seek help.

Relevance for operators and HR departments in the region

For human resources departments and integrated resort operators in Asia, Okada Manila’s design combines symbolic activities with concrete clinical support measures. The alliance with a specialist organisation — the Philippine Mental Health Association — and the engagement of in‑site professional services with Bofill Psychological Services Clinic are replicable elements in corporate contexts that manage large, 24/7 workforces. These measures are also framed within a sustainability and corporate social responsibility programme identified as Okada Green Heart. See related coverage in our [regulation](/regulation) and [b2b](/b2b) sections for context on workplace wellbeing frameworks.

Next steps and internal expectations

Okada Manila will continue the activities throughout October; internal communications emphasise keeping channels of dialogue open and promoting access to the consultations offered. The visibility achieved with the Crystal Corridor illumination on 10 October is complemented by training activities and the availability of clinical services, forming a package that combines awareness and care.

For employees and HR managers interested in similar initiatives, Okada Manila illustrates an institutionalised approach that pairs awareness campaigns, partnerships with specialist organisations and provision of on-site clinical services. The model may be of interest to operators seeking to integrate mental health into their safety and employee wellbeing policies.