PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act, institutionalizing mental health programs for students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel in public and private schools.
The new law aims to provide mental health services, preventive interventions, and emotional support to address the growing mental health challenges faced by students and educators.
“This law will turn our schools into sanctuaries of learning and well-being,” Marcos said, expressing hope that it will help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health counseling.
The President also emphasized that the initiative would equip learners and educators to excel and face life’s challenges with resilience.
Under the law, all public schools will have “care centers” staffed by school counselors and their assistants to offer counseling services and stress management workshops.
To address the nationwide shortage of guidance counselors, new plantilla positions will be created.
