MANILA - The Philippine Army (PA) on Thursday launched its "Physical and Mental Health Hygiene Modalities" as among activities for the celebration of its 125th anniversary on March 22.

"Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. graced the activity that provided free services including stress relaxation, Luscher color test, artificial intelligence assisted x-ray, bone scanning, random blood sugar testing, cholesterol screening, oral health education, and psychospiritual counseling to Army personnel and civilian human resource. Pharmaceutical companies also provided free consultation and loot bags to event participants," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement Friday.

The event was held at the PA Grandstand at Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila.

It was organized by the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, Office of the Army Chief Surgeon, Office of the Army Chief Nurse, and Office of the Army Chief Dental Service.

Brawner thanked personnel who manned the booths for supporting the PA's thrust to ensure the physical and mental health of soldiers.

He also urged Army personnel to take advantage of the comprehensive physical and mental health programs which are in line with his guidance to take care of the Army's most important resource.

"Today is a fitting opportunity for the Philippine Army to institutionalize a vital endeavor to ensure the overall health and mental well-being of the personnel and their families. Therefore, I would like to encourage everyone to have this mindset that we should remove the stigma that goes with mental health," Brawner said. (PNA)