Marcos signs law to strengthen Mental Health Programs in schools

- Advertisement -

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the ‘Basic Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act’ (R.A. No. 12080) into law on December 9, 2024, during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace.

This new law aims to strengthen mental health programs in schools by introducing comprehensive initiatives in all public and private basic education institutions.

- Advertisement -

Its objectives include raising mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and the establishment of school-based Care Centers for mental health services.

Additionally, the law mandates the creation of a Mental Health and Well-Being Office in every school division to oversee its implementation.

The program will also extend its reach to out-of-school children in special circumstances.

The law provides for the creation of additional plantilla positions for school counselors, ensuring that schools have the necessary personnel to implement mental health initiatives effectively.

- Advertisement -

Key objectives of the program include promoting mental health awareness, addressing mental health concerns, and bolstering suicide prevention efforts within academic settings.

To support these efforts, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will work with the Department of Education (DepEd) to establish new school counselor positions.

The DBM, DepEd, and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) will also collaborate to facilitate the creation of these roles.

- Advertisement -

Latest

Father Arrested for Fatally Stabbing 2-Year-Old Child During Domestic Dispute in Pampanga

Police arrested a man on Friday for allegedly stabbing...

4-Year-Old Boy Dies After Alleged Beating by Mother’s Girlfriend in Cavite

A four-year-old boy named Aki was found dead inside...

Dump Truck Driver Rescued After Collision With Oil Tanker in CamSur

A dump truck and an oil tanker collided along...

Philippines Ready to Send Additional Humanitarian Contingent to Quake-Hit Myanmar – OCD

The Philippines has expressed readiness to deploy another humanitarian...

Filipino Crew Confirmed Aboard MV Lunita Seized in South Korea Over Drug Haul

Several Filipino nationals have been confirmed as part of...

Newsletter

NSC, DFA Probe Alleged Arrest of 3 Filipinos Accused of Espionage in China

The National Security Council (NSC) is awaiting an official statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding the alleged arrest of three Filipinos...

DFA Denies Reports of Bail for Detained Filipinos in Qatar

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has refuted circulating reports on social media claiming that detained Filipinos in Qatar could secure their release by...

PH Embassy in Myanmar Sends Team to Search for Four Missing Filipinos

The Philippine Embassy in Myanmar has dispatched a team to help search for four missing Filipinos in Mandalay, following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake. According to...