SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian renewed his call for the institutionalization of mental health services in public and private schools nationwide.

Gatchalian made the call amid the celebration of World Mental Health Day on Monday.

Considering the impact of the Covid19 pandemic and prolonged school closures, he said that recovery efforts should include psychosocial support for both learners and teachers.

“Dahil sa naging pinsala ng pandemya sa ating mga mag-aaral at mga guro, ngayon nila higit na kailangan ng mga serbisyo at programang mangangalaga sa kanilang mental health. Kaya naman sa pagbangon ng sektor ng edukasyon, titiyakin din natin na magkakaroon ng sapat na mental health services sa bawat paaralan ng bansa,” the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education said.

Gatchalian’s Senate Bill 379 aims to institutionalize the Mental Health and Well-Being Program to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs, and other support services.

Under the measure, the Department of Education is mandated to establish and maintain a Mental Health and Well-Being Center in every public school which will deliver mental and well-being services to address the mental, emotional and developmental needs of learners, teachers and non-teaching personnel.

The DepEd must also ensure that these centers are established and maintained in all private schools.

Gatchalian’s bill also seeks to hire and deploy mental health professionals in public elementary, secondary, and vocational institutions.

To address the shortage of Guidance Counselors nationwide, Gatchalian proposed higher salaries and the creation of a sufficient number of plantilla items for the positions of Guidance Counselor.