President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act into law on Monday, December 9. | Photo via Presidential Communications Office
MANILA—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, or Republic Act No. 12080, on Monday, December 9. This new law mandates mental health programs in all public and private schools to enhance mental health initiatives.
The law mandates the development of comprehensive mental health programs in schools, including screening, evaluation, assessment, and monitoring of students’ mental well-being, and the establishment of Care Centers in schools to provide mental health services, including counseling, stress management workshops, and programs aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health.
The law also requires each school division office to set up a Mental Health and Well-Being Office to oversee its implementation, including creating new school counselor positions to address the shortage of guidance counselors.
These offices will provide the framework for school-based health programs, review and approve their implementation, and conduct regular visits to ensure effectiveness. They will also train personnel to deliver mental health services to learners.
During the signing ceremony, the president emphasized the importance of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. He highlighted that the law aims to make schools “sanctuaries of learning and well-being” and stressed the urgent need for this legislation due to escalating global mental health concerns.
“When our learners and school personnel are mentally healthy, academic performance improves, absenteeism decreases, and a culture of compassion and understanding flourishes,” Marcos Jr. said. “Beyond being a safeguard to our youth and school personnel, this law is also an investment in the intellectual, emotional, and social future and development of our nation.”
He also pointed out the alarming statistics on mental health in the Philippines, noting that 17% of young people have contemplated taking their own lives, yet less than 1% sought professional help. The new law aims to bridge this gap by embedding mental health services directly into schools.
In line with these efforts, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in consultation with DepEd and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), will create a new “plantilla” or a listing of positions for school counselors. These include roles such as School Counselor Associate I to V, School Counselor I to IV, and Schools Division Counselor. Existing items will also be reclassified.
“This is a vital step forward in ensuring our learners are not only academically equipped but also mentally healthy. We thank President Marcos and the members of the Congress for supporting our efforts of building a system that prioritizes our children’s holistic development,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is the principal author of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. He has strongly advocated mental health initiatives in schools, highlighting the urgent need for this legislation.
Gatchalian stated, “By ensuring the accessibility of mental health services, we can instill resilience in our learners, prevent suicides, and make our schools safer environments for all.” He also pointed out that the Philippines has been considered the “bullying capital of the world” and is experiencing a “pandemic” of mental health challenges.
Lawmakers, led by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, along with DepEd officials, witnessed the ceremonial signing of the law in Malacañang.
