Senators push for mental health law implementation, therapy session packages amid spike in student suicides
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MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Wednesday pushed for implementing the mental health law and therapy session packages as more and more students have reportedly been taking their own lives.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has said that 404 students across the country took their own lives while 2,147 others attempted suicide during the Academic Year 2021-2022.
In separate statements, Senators JV Ejercito, Risa Hontiveros, Sonny Angara, and Grace Poe recommended curbing the rising suicide cases among learners.
“Hoping that the mental health law’s implementation, which I principally sponsored, will be prioritized this time that is very much needed,” Ejercito said.
Hontiveros, meanwhile, was “heartbroken at the staggering numbers.”
“The mental health crisis is a continuing concern among our students and has been escalating because of the COVID-19 pandemic. DepEd and the DOH (Department of Health) should proactively implement the provisions of the Mental Health Law. Since the law’s passage in 2018, we have been calling on various government agencies to accelerate the integration of mental health and care services in our educational systems and institutions,” she said.
“DepEd should address the shortage in mental health personnel by hiring more guidance counselors and allowing existing guidance counselors to have bigger catchment areas where their care is needed the most,” the opposition senator added.
Angara said he is seeking a measure that involves the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to help distressed learners.
“We are pushing for a measure, which would have PhilHealth packages cover therapy sessions and other mental health needs. This would help curb the increasing numbers of young people taking their lives,” he said.
For Poe, the student suicide cases “confront us with an unsettling reality that needs a holistic response.”
“Educational institutions should develop and strengthen their own programs on providing regular counseling to students and teaching and non-teaching personnel,” said Poe.
“We trust that the DepEd will fortify partnerships with reputable associations for mental health and psychosocial support programs in schools. Mental health issues should no longer be stigmatized,” she continued.
Under the 2023 national budget, the government allocated around P4 billion for mental health.
/abc
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If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)
Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.
