Marcos inks law keeping mental health of teachers, students in check
Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of suicide and self-harm.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed a law that bolsters mental health programs in schools amid cases of suicide and self-harm.
Marcos signed the "Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act," which institutionalizes mental health and well-being programs for basic education learners, and teaching and non-teaching personnel in public and private schools.
Under the law, care centers will be established in every public basic education school.
A new plantilla position, such as a school counselor, along with counselor associates, will provide counseling services, stress management workshops, and mental health programs.
Marcos deemed the legislation urgent and undeniable, citing how mental health challenges could cost P16 trillion in losses by 2030 globally.
“Today, we renew our promise to every Filipino: that they will not only succeed academically but thrive holistically," Marcos said in his speech during the law's ceremonial signing at the Malacañang Palace. "Together, we envision a Philippines where mental health is prioritized alongside education, fostering a generation equipped to lead with resilience, compassion, and with purpose."
Marcos noted that when learners and school personnel are "mentally healthy, academic performance improves, absenteeism decreases, and a culture of compassion and understanding flourishes."
"Beyond being a safeguard to our youth and school personnel," he added, "this law is also an investment in the intellectual, emotional, and social future and development of our nation."
The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomed the signing of the law.
DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara said the new law could help students deal with the “unprecedented changes” in their environment that could affect their mental health.
“Learners in our basic education system are facing a world that is shifting beneath their feet," Angara said. "The way they process these changes have significant bearing and burden on their mental health and socio-emotional wellbeing."
Angara said the signing of the law enables DepEd to "look forward to our communities supported and shepherded by qualified mental health professionals."
"With this new law, we are taking a significant step towards ensuring that our learners are equipped with the socio-emotional skills and support to navigate the challenges of modern life," he added.
According to DepEd's data, there are about 254 cases of suicide among students in the academic year 2023 to 2024. About 80 were in elementary school, 113 in junior high school, and 61 in senior high school.
Nearly 1,500 students attempted to take their lives during that period, 1,078 of whom were in junior high school, 321 in senior high school, and 93 in grade school.
A shortage of trained counselors is seen as one of the main causes of the phenomenon.
DepEd has 4,000 guidance counselors who need to serve over 23 million students nationwide. (with reports from Neil Jayson Servallos)
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If you or anyone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, you may call the National Mental Health Crisis hotline at 1553 (Luzon-wide, landline toll-free), 0966-351-4518 or 0917-899-USAP (8727) for Globe/TM users, or 0908-639-2672 for Smart users.
