IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION, MENTAL HEALTH

EMERLITA M. CANLAS

The Department of Education has underscored its focus on addressing the undernutrition of school children. The DepEd said that the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) provides "hot meals and nutritious food products" to improve the "participation in classes, completion of elementary education, and overall nutritional status" of students. According to the agency, over 57 percent of learners from the previous program cycle reported feeling more "enthusiastic and energetic" in school after being part of the program, and over 52 percent feeling they are experiencing weight gain. Additionally, the program contributed to a strengthened immune system in over 51 percent, improved body condition in 45 percent, and a "more eager to study" attitude in over 37 percent of participants of the school-based feeding program. The department also pointed out the collaborative nature of the program with nutritious food products approved by the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) which ensures they meet the nutritional needs of students. The School Mental Health Program, on the other hand, is intended to build the capacity of the leaders to become more resilient students. Citing departmental statistics, there has been a decrease in reported suicides among learners, dropping from 575 to 128, a 65.57 percent decrease. In addition, there has been a 24 percent increase in preventing suicide attempts that have been prevented with the help of guidance counselors and health teams. DepEd has trained over 400,000 personnel as psychological first-aid providers and has over 10,000 psychological responders who are ready to support during emergencies. Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte highlighted the importance of nutrition in students' motivation, thinking skills, behavior, and overall health. She emphasized the commitment of the agency to provide learners with basic mental health services from guidance counselors, psychometricians, psychologists, and allied health personnel.

-oOoThe author is Teacher I at Caingin Elementary School, Masantol South District