THE Cebu City Council has approved an ordinance mandating a mental health awareness seminar workshop program in the city’s public schools.
The educational intervention is aimed at helping students understand mental health, counter stigma, and offer avenues that can improve lives by making learning enjoyable.
City Ordinance (CO) 2770, titled Institutionalizing the Mental Health Awareness Program for Public Schools in the City of Cebu, was authored by Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos.
The Local School Board has been designated as the main office to implement CO 2770 in coordination with the City Health Department, Department of Education, and guidance counselors from various schools.
The mental health program is set to be delivered as a co-curricular activity for graduating students that can be done through modular seminars.
The seminar workshops will contain five parts covering integrated health, mental health, dynamics of life experiences, coping strategies, and psychological first aid.
Before the ordinance was approved, de los Santos defined “child” as a human being below the age of 18.
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera suggested to remove the indicated age pointing out that not all senior high students are below 18 years old. De los Santos conceded to the proposed amendment.
Aside from CO 2770, De los Santos also authored other ordinances pertaining to mental health such as CO 2479, creating the BBHU (Barangay Behavioral Health Unit) within the Barangay Health Center.
CO 2479, approved in 2016, was authored by De los Santos along with former councilor Margarita Osmeña. The BBHU is tasked to provide education, support and treatment (limited to diagnosis), crisis intervention and a referral system.
In 2023, De los Santos also authored CO 2681, establishing a behavioral health unit at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC). The CCMC Behavioral Health Unit Ordinance caters only to short-term treatment to stabilize patients.
Meanwhile CO 2691, authored by De los Santos establishes a student assistance program in all public schools offering elementary, junior and senior high school in the city. / JPS