MENTAL health discussed in schools is being asked.
Baguio City Councilor Valdimir Cayabas, in a resolution, is urging national offices of the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), to fast track the integration of mental health education in the curriculum for all learners and earnestly monitor its implementation to ensure the realization of the purpose.
Cayabas said “With the strong impact on mental health of every Filipino especially on the part of the our young people by this pandemic and the implementation of the ECQ that urgency in formalizing mental health education is critically needed that shall be integrated to the curriculum of all schools levels and be properly and immediately implemented starting school year 202 -2021. Mental health education is surely an effective tool and mechanism to assist, empower and help our young people in coping with the new challenges brought by the Covid-19 and stay attuned to the new normal situation.”
Cayabas, chairman of the committee on education, culture, creativity and historical research, said there is an increasing incidence of mental health challenges resulting to suicidal tendencies have been observed among college adolescents in the Philippines. News reports revealed college students involved in violent acts, such as murder transpiring within and outside university premises. Also, there is an increase in incidence of college students dying by suicide through various forms, with experts reporting at least one suicide referral made per day among the youth.
“Due to the pandemic caused by the Coronavirus Disease and the strict implementation of the Luzon wide enhanced community quarantine that classes in all levels have been disrupted that put the youth especially pupils and students to stay home, a quick reversal of their active life style. Furthermore, that thousands of students have been stranded and away from their parents, in dire need of food supplies apart from being home sick. These experiences resulted to emotional struggle, feeling of being left out, sadness, anxiety, being distressed and worse suicide attempts,” Cayabas said.
The legislator explained education institutions being the student’s primary environment during their formal learning years should implement established systems wherein actual and potential mental health issues and problems among the youth can be addressed. Being an important school institution, schools are expected to foster innovative programs related to mental health education in order to promote better mental wellbeing and quality of life among students.