December 10, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — A law that seeks to strengthen mental health programs in schools was enacted yesterday, which, according to President Marcos, is urgently needed because of “alarming” data on young people who consider taking their life.
Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, seeks to establish a comprehensive school-based mental health program for all public and private basic education institutions and creates new plantilla posts for school counselors.
It also seeks to institutionalize school-based mental health services for basic education learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel, such as screening, evaluation, monitoring of mental well-being, mental health first aid, crisis response and referral systems.
“The need for this legislation is urgent and undeniable. Globally, mental health concerns are escalating. In the Philippines, the statistics are alarming,” Marcos said after signing the law at Malacañang.
The President noted that 17 percent of young Filipinos have contemplated taking their lives, but less than one percent has sought professional help.
He said the new law seeks to bridge the gap by embedding mental health services directly into schools, which he described as the “nation’s first line of defense against mental health issues.”
Marcos also cited data stating that mental health challenges could cost the world $16 trillion in losses by 2030.
“Let us also not underestimate the economic and social costs of neglecting mental health… Locally, the toll is evident in decreased academic outcomes, burnout and turnover rates among students and school personnel. This Act will help in reducing such losses, making our students more productive and ready to contribute to nation building,” he said.
Teaching and non-teaching personnel would also have access to resources that would allow them to support students while safeguarding their own well-being, according to the Chief Executive.
The Department of Budget Management (DBM), in consultation with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Civil Service Commission, will create new plantilla positions for school counselors.
‘Unprecedented changes’
The DepEd yesterday welcomed the signing of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which it said could help schools address the alarming number of suicides and attempts by school-age children recorded in the last school year.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the new law could help students deal with the “unprecedented changes” in their environment that could be affecting their mental health.
Data from DepEd showed that of the 254 suicide cases among students recorded during SY 2023-2024, 80 were in elementary school, 113 in junior high school and 61 in senior high school. — Neil Jayson Servallos
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