SIGNIFICANCE OF EDUCATION SECTOR TO MENTAL HEALTH

MARY ROSE S. TRINIDAD

The Department of Education (DepEd), in view of the effects of the pandemic to the mental health of learners, teachers and personnel, bolstered efforts to further understand its significance in the education sector. The agency has conducted learning session on mental health spearheaded by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRMSS), in close partnership with the Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development – Employee Welfare Division (BHROD-EWD) and the Bureau of Learner Support Services – School Health Division (BLSS-SHD). The learning sessions featured discussion from mental health experts from the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA), and MentalHealthPH. It is the Department’s hope that these sessions can champion wellness among learners and teachers. According to registered psychologists, there is a need to implement strategies in incorporating mental health education in schools, namely: (1) opening conversations about mental health to help decrease stigma; (2) providing appropriate training for teachers and staff to identify and respond to signs of mental health issues; (3) integrating mental health into academics and classwork; (4) providing helpful tools for students; and (5) supporting educators’ mental health needs. They said discussions on mental health cannot be separated from academic growth. Some ways to support mental health, psychosocial well-being, and academic growth include: (1) providing opportunities to build resiliency; (2) strengthening mental health literacy; (3) incorporating mental health and psychosocial support in times of disaster; and (4) enabling and optimizing learning for children with special needs. We all have to acknowledge the improvement of the mental health needs of Filipino children since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic through activities that respond to the categories of children’s rights to survival, development, participation, and protection.

author is Teacher