The Philippines has taken a significant step towards strengthening mental health support in schools with the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act by Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday.
The initiative aims to create a safer learning environment by ensuring students and teachers have access to mental health support. Angara emphasised that the law is not just a policy but a concrete measure to provide assistance when needed.
As part of the implementation, Mental Health and Well-Being Offices will be established in high-need areas, led by Schools Division Counselors.
Additionally, large schools will have dedicated school counsellors to enhance mental health care and support within the Department of Education’s programmes.
The initiative also aligns with efforts to combat bullying. The Department of Education has partnered with the Second Congressional Commission on Education to update the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, ensuring it reflects current school realities and is more effectively enforced.
From November 2022 to February 2025, the Learner Rights and Protection Division recorded 522 bullying cases through the TeleSafe Contact Center.
However, Angara acknowledged that the reported figures likely underestimate the true scale of the problem.
He assured that the department is not only responding to reported cases but also working proactively to prevent them.
“We understand that the numbers we currently have don’t fully capture what’s actually happening on the ground. That’s why the Department is not just responding to the reports we receive but also working to put prevention measures in place,” Angara stated.
The new regulations will be integrated with the revised rules of the Anti-Bullying Act, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering a healthier and more supportive school environment.
