Press Release - Gatchalian: Bicam report on school-based mental health bill ratified

Senator Win Gatchalian lauded the Senate's ratification of the bicameral conference committee on the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Senate Bill No. 2200 and House Bill No. 6574), a landmark measure that would increase learners' access to mental health services.

The measure will strengthen the Department of Education's (DepEd) mental health program by developing a School-Based Mental Health Program. The program shall promote mental health awareness, address learners' mental health concerns, and include suicide prevention efforts in schools.

Services under the program shall include screening, evaluation, assessment, and monitoring; mental health first aid; crisis response and referral system; mental health awareness and literacy; emotional, development, and preventive programs; and other support services.

The measure also mandates the establishment of a Mental Health and Well-Being Office in every Schools Division Office, to be led by a Schools Division Counselor who must be a Registered Guidance Counselor or Registered Psychologist. Each public school will also have a Care Center to provide school-based mental health services.

The Care Center shall be headed by a School Counselor and shall be assisted by a School Counselor Associate. The positions of School Counselor I to IV, School Counselor Associate I to V, and Schools Division Counselor are new positions created under the measure to fill the shortage of guidance counselors in public schools nationwide.

"Kasabay ng pag-angat natin sa kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa ang pagtiyak na tinutugunan natin ang mental health ng ating mga mag-aaral," said Gatchalian, author and sponsor of the measure.

Gatchalian also thanked the co-authors and co-sponsors of the measure -- Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Senators Lito Lapid, Bong Go, Nancy Binay, Bong Revilla, Jr., Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Bato dela Rosa, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, and former Senator now Secretary of Education Sonny Angara.

Gatchalian: Bicam report sa panukalang school-based mental health bill ratipikado na ng Senado

Ikinagalak ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang ratipikasyon sa Senado