Mark Villar bill seeks programs for teachers’ mental health; cites heavy work load
KEEP THEM BUSY—AND SAFE A kindergarten teacher conducts a coloring activity for her class at Pinyahan Elementary School, Quezon City, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, as most public schools nationwide resume in-person classes, five days a week, to comply with a Department of Education order in July. INQUIRER/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Teachers, although often seen as heroes because of their “indispensable contribution to life and to the well-being of the youth,” can also be victims.
They can suffer “trauma, mental and emotional fatigue that they usually keep to themselves,”possibly harming their mental health, according to Senator Mark Villar when he filed Senate Bill No. 2258, known as “The Teacher Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2023.”
He said his bill aims to strengthen the promotion and delivery of mental health services for teachers.
“Teachers’ mental health may be impacted by [various] variables, including a heavy workload, long hours, and large class sizes. These constant stresses might have an adverse effect on one’s physical and emotional well-being,” Villar pointed out in the bill’s Explanatory Note.
He also noted the “lack of assistance from coworkers and support from the administration in recognizing the mental health of the teacher, which makes it more difficult for them to seek help and to ease their sufferings.”
READ: Educators confront mental health problems amid pandemic
The senator then proposed in the bill that the Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination with the Department of Health and the Philippine Mental Health Association, should establish and promote the following programs and services for the welfare and well-being of teachers:
- Regular mental health assessments of the teachers every school semester, conducted by registered and licensed psychologists or related professionals;
- Regular counseling sessions for teachers, focusing on stress management, emotional stability, and coping mechanisms;
- Stress-reduction programs, such as workshops that teach mindfulness, meditation, relaxation techniques, and time management;
- Access to peer support groups and mentoring programs for teachers, with a focus on creating a safe space for expression and collaboration;
- Periodic seminars led by mental health professionals to raise awareness and improve understanding of mental health issues among teachers;
- Establishment of Mental Health and Wellness Liaisons to assist and connect teachers to mental health care providers as needed and to monitor the progress of well-being programs within their schools or regions;
- Promote work-life balance through the formation of interest-based clubs, sports competitions, and other recreational opportunities; and
- Any other programs and services as deemed necessary by the DepEd, the DOH, and the Philippine Mental Health Association.
The proposed measure likewise tasks concerned agencies to yearly monitoring and evaluation of the said programs and services for teachers.
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