Mental health awareness

Jennifer V. Misa

The Department of Education has recently published social media content series featuring the mental health journey of selected DepEd Personnel during this pandemic.

This is in line with the celebration of the 2021 National Mental Health Week that ran from October 11 up to 16, 2021.

Department officials want to ensure that the mental health of personnel and learners are being taken care of. DepE has consistently conducted Mental Health and Psychosocial Services for stakeholders during this pandemic and recognizes that looking out for everyone’s mental state is a continuous process.

With the theme “Mental Health Care for All: Let’s Make it a Reality,” the agency encouraged the participate in the events and conduct localized programs supporting the celebration.

Throughout the week, the Department released a series of DepEd Mental Health Care Videos to amplify the messaging and purpose of the celebration’s theme.

The agency also conducted Coordinators’ Meeting on the Implementation of the School Mental Health Program, while the official closing program of the Mental Health Week was on October 15.

Meanwhile, School Mental Health Program Coordinators and the field offices are encouraged to conduct webinars, online conversations and consultations, or virtual training. Mental health breaks are also encouraged.

In celebrating National Mental Health Week, the DepEd has collaborated with Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (SEAMEO TROPMED) to elevate awareness of learners and personnel on mental health programs and services.

During the One Health Week, the DepEd conducted pilot testing of the School Mental Health Model with the support of SEAMEO TROPMED.

The model featured developed modules and a screening tool to explain mental health issues and identify and give psychosocial support and services for individuals at risk.

In this line, the Department is planning to create a policy for the School Mental Health Program that covers the comprehensive mental health directions of DepEd on promotion, identification of learners at-risk, provision of basic services, referral system for treatments, and contextualized School Mental Health Model in the new normal setting.

Moreover, DepEd will also ensure availability of mental health professionals, especially guidance counselors, in schools and offices.

As one of the six flagship programs under the OK (Oplan Kalusugan) sa DepEd, the School Mental Health Program of the Bureau of Learner Support Services – School Health Division (BLSS-SHD) aims to ensure mental health promotion and effective linkage to mental health services for learners and our school personnel.

The author

is Administrative Assistant

--oOo-

field offices to

II at Bacolor Elementary School, Bacolor North District