Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Marcos signs law institutionalizing mental health program in basic education

Article (news)

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173371568387020221129-acciona-el nido-solar-power-JC-5266.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="true" style="text-align:left">Classroom in Barangay Buluang, Busuanga, in Palawan. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday signed a law that would institutionalize mental health programs in basic education.</p><p>The Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act is expected to address &quot;the often overlooked but vital aspect of mental health in schools,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>The measure institutionalizes a mental health and well-being program for basic education learners as well as for teaching and non-teaching personnel in both public and private schools.</p><p>&quot;The need for this legislation is urgent and undeniable. Globally, mental health concerns are escalating. In the Philippines, the statistics are alarming,&quot; Marcos said.</p><p>&quot;Seventeen percent of our young people have contemplated taking their life, yet less than one percent sought professional help. This law aims to bridge that gap by embedding mental health services directly into our schools—our nation’s first line of defense against mental health issues,&quot; he added. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/04/06/23/mental-health-issues-among-filipinos-on-the-rise-ncmh">Mental health issues among Filipinos on the rise: NCMH chief</a> </div><p>Marcos said he hoped that through the law, schools would become sanctuaries of learning and well-being. </p><p>He said he expected this to help reduce the economic and social costs of neglecting mental health, including decreased academic outcomes, burnout, and turnover rates among students and school personnel.</p><p>&quot;Care centers staffed by trained professionals will provide counseling and stress management workshops, and implement programs to reduce stigma around mental health. Teaching and non-teaching personnel will have access to resources that empower them to support students while safeguarding their own well-being,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;When our 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, this law is also an investment in the intellectual, emotional, and social future and development of our nation,&quot; he said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/24/no-one-is-exempted-from-mental-health-issues-doh-metro-manila-1556">No one is exempted from mental health issues: DOH-Metro Manila</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jWYQlmqsxZY?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tlq-oxdcbGc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday signed a law that would institutionalize mental health programs in basic education.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday signed a law that would institutionalize mental health programs in basic education.