Senator Mark Villar pushes for stronger support for Filipino students' mental health

Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 2133, the proposed Students’ Guidance Counseling Act, to strengthen school-based mental health programs.

The proposed measure seeks to expand access to guidance and psychosocial support services for Filipino students nationwide.

He cited research published by Cambridge University Press regarding the mental health of Filipino youth.

The study reveals an alarming rise in depressive symptoms, noting that cases of moderate to severe depression among Filipinos aged 15 to 24 more than doubled over an eight-year period.

Studies indicate that learners are facing increasing mental health challenges.

Growing academic demands, socio-economic hardships, and other external stressors continue to impact the emotional and psychological well-being of students.

“Hindi dapat balewalain ang mental health ng ating mga kabataan. Marami sa ating mga estudyante ang nakakaranas ng matinding pressure sa paaralan at iba’t ibang personal na suliranin, ngunit madalas ay kulang ang suporta at gabay na kanilang natatanggap. Nakaaapekto ito hindi lamang sa kanilang pag-aaral kundi pati sa kanilang pangkalahatang kalusugan at kinabukasan,” Villar said.

On the shortage of guidance counselors in the Philippines, Villar highlighted that the current counselor-to-student ratio is estimated at 1:14,000, which falls significantly short of the global standard of 1:250.

According to the Department of Education, thousands of guidance counselor positions nationwide remain vacant.

This shortage limits the capacity of schools to provide timely intervention and adequate psychosocial support for students experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, depression, bullying, and other mental health-related concerns.

As a way of responding to these challenges, the proposed measure seeks to institutionalize and strengthen guidance and counseling services in educational institutions nationwide.

The proposed bill provides for the appointment of qualified counselors and the hiring and continuous training of at least one associate counselor or school social worker in every public school.

Tthe legislation promotes mental health and wellness programs, stronger referral systems, and timely intervention mechanisms for students requiring specialized care.

The proposed bill provides for the appointment of qualified counselors and the hiring and continuous training of at least one associate counselor or school social worker in every public school.

The legislation also promotes mental health and wellness programs, stronger referral systems, and timely intervention mechanisms for students requiring specialized care.

“Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, nais nating tiyakin na may sapat na mga propesyonal na handang umalalay at gumabay sa ating mga estudyante. Mahalaga ang maagang pagtukoy at agarang pagtugon sa mga suliraning may kinalaman sa mental health upang mas mabigyan ng tamang suporta ang ating mga kabataan,” Villar emphasized.

Through these initiatives, the measure aims to help schools become safer and more supportive spaces for learners by equipping them with the necessary personnel and mechanisms to proactively address students’ mental health concerns.

“Napakahalaga na ang ating mga paaralan ay maging ligtas at maaasahang espasyo kung saan nararamdaman ng bawat estudyante ang gabay, malasakit, at suporta. Makakaasa kayo na patuloy tayong makikinig at pahahalagahan ang mental health concerns ng ating Kabataan,” Villar said.

-Paraluman News