Dwayne Pelagio

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has officially signed a law that would mandate mental health programs for the basic education in both public and private schools on Dec. 9.

Photo Courtesy of Manila Standard.

Republic Act No. 12080, or the “Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act,” aims to institutionalize a mental health and well-being program for basic education learners as well as for teaching and non-teaching personnel.

The law will also create new school counselor positions, care centers in schools for mental health services, and a mental health and well-being office in each school division that would oversee its implementation.

"The need for this legislation is urgent and undeniable. Globally, mental health concerns are escalating. In the Philippines, the statistics are alarming," Marcos said in his statement.

Marcos added that the law is also an investment in the intellectual, emotional, and social future and development of the country.

"Seventeen percent of our young people have contemplated taking their life, yet less than one percent sought professional help,” Marcos added in the statement.

He further stated that the law will “bridge the gap by embedding mental health services directly into the schools— the nation’s first line of defense against mental health issues.”

The new law also mandates the establishment of Care Centers in around 47,000 public schools nationwide.

Plantilla positions for school counselor associates I to V will be created to address the nationwide shortage of guidance counselors.

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara expressed his gratitude to the president for passing the law, citing that the passage of the act is a “welcome development.”

“With this new law, we are taking a significant step towards ensuring that our learners are equipped with the socio-emotional skills and support to navigate the challenges of modern life,” Angara said in his statement.