Bill on mental health likely to be approved

THE leadership of the House of Representatives has expressed confidence that the Senate will prioritize the passage of a bill that seeks to create a Mental Health and Well-being Office under the Department of Education (DepEd) in every school division throughout the country.

The lower house led by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez approved on Tuesday House Bill (HB) 6574 intending to support the emotional, psychological, and mental health needs of learners and teachers.

The bill mandates the hiring and deployment of mental health professionals to public elementary and secondary schools, vocational institutions, and offices in the central, regional, and school division governance levels of the DepEd within five years.

The bill was approved with an overwhelming 272 votes.

One of the bill’s authors, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, said the proposed law will help students in the classroom and learning preparedness, especially learners identified as children in conflict with the law, students at risk of dropping out, learner-victims of violence against women and children, and learner-victims of other related forms of child abuse and criminal acts.

To ensure the efficient implementation of the proposed legislation, the bill requires the creation of sufficient Guidance Counselors and Guidance Services Specialist positions according to minimum standards to be determined by the DepEd and the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Budget and Management.