The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commends the efforts of our legislators for crafting laws that enhance the Philippine education system by establishing strong mechanisms to implement comprehensive school-based mental health programs across all public and private basic education institutions.
Signed into law on 09 December 2024, Republic Act (RA) No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, is geared towards institutionalizing the necessary support that Filipino students need to address both their academic performance and overall well-being. These include screening, evaluation, assessment, and monitoring; mental health first aid; crisis response and referral system; mental health awareness and literacy; emotional, developmental, and preventive programs, among other support services.
It is worth noting that this initiative will further allow students to access the proper avenues when it comes to their mental health needs. Particularly, RA No. 12080 highlights that children in conflict with the law, those at risk of dropping out, students with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, calamities, and armed conflicts, as well as those who have experienced traumatic experiences, will receive the necessary support and referral services tailored to their circumstances.
The law also ensures that teachers and other faculty members will receive training and support to improve their mental health awareness and preparedness, enabling them to identify early warning signs of mental health issues among students. In fact, this will pave the way for the creation of new positions in the Department of Education for school counselors, thereby ensuring that the delivery of school-based mental health services will be more effective and sustainable, while also generating additional employment opportunities in the field.
The Commission acknowledges that RA No. 12080 aligns with the State’s obligation to prioritize the mental health needs of its citizens, particularly students, by offering accessible interventions designed to provide holistic support. In fact, during the bill’s development at the Senate level, the CHR also advocated for its passage as a response to improving the mental health state of students brought about by the shift to remote and blended learning modalities during the pandemic. [1]
With the significant progress in our views on a person’s right to health, we are witnessing how much mental health can affect a person’s life. Now more than ever, we should craft policies and laws that are aimed towards providing younger Filipinos better and meaningful support to ensure that they navigate through these challenges with the right resources and systems in place.
[1] Statement of CHR Executive Director, Atty Jacqueline Ann de Guia, in support of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act | 19 August 2022 https://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-executive-director-atty-jacqueline-ann-de-guia-in-support-of-the-basic-education-mental-health-and-well-being-promotion-act/