The Philippines has made a major move to enhance 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.
The initiative seeks to foster a safer learning environment by ensuring that both students and teachers have access to mental health resources. Angara highlighted that the law is not merely a policy, but a tangible effort to provide necessary assistance when required.
As part of the implementation, Mental Health and Well-Being Offices will be set up in areas with significant need, 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 align with the updated provisions of the Anti-Bullying Act, further strengthening the government's dedication to creating a healthier and more supportive school environment
