Basic education mental health law signed

A law that seeks to strengthen mental health programs in schools was enacted yesterday, which, according to President Marcos, is urgently needed because of "alarming" data on young people who consider taking their life.

- - With Neil Jayson Servallos

Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, seeks to establish a comprehensive school-based mental health program for all public and private basic education institutions and creates new plantilla posts for school counselors.

It also seeks to institutionalize school-based mental health services for basic education learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel, such as screening, evaluation, monitoring of mental well-being, mental health first aid, crisis response and referral systems.

"The need for this legislation is urgent and undeniable. Globally, mental health concerns are escalating. In the Philippines, the statistics are alarming," Marcos said after signing the law at Malacañang.