SEN. Bong Go welcomed the signing of Republic Act 12080, also known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which mandates the establishment of a school-based mental health program.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the law on Monday, Dec. 9.
Go, co-author and co-sponsor of the legislation, said institutionalizing mental health programs in schools was crucial in addressing mental health challenges among students.
“It is time to give sufficient attention to the mental health of children. These issues cannot be ignored because lives and futures are at stake,” he added.
Under the law, mental health centers in schools will be manned by professionals.
It mandates salary upgrades for guidance counselors and allows trained non-counselors to temporarily fill gaps in staffing to ensure immediate support for students.
“This is an important step in improving mental health services in our schools. Teachers and guidance counselors are our partners in helping students cope with mental health challenges,” the senator said.
Another related legislation that Go authored and co-sponsored is Senate Bill 2598, or the proposed State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Mental Health Services Act, which would strengthen mental health services in SUCs across the country.
Go said accessible mental health care remains a critical challenge in the country, with only 22.17 percent of Filipinos reportedly seeking professional psychological help.
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