SENATOR Grace Poe on Wednesday urged schools to focus not only on honing the intellectual capabilities of learners but to give importance to their mental resilience.

“Educational institutions should develop and strengthen their own programs on providing regular counseling to students and teaching and non-teaching personnel,” Poe said following reports of rising suicide cases among students.

“We trust that the DepEd will fortify partnerships with reputable associations for mental health and psychosocial support programs in schools,” she added.

The senator stressed that mental health issues should no longer be stigmatized.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero agreed, saying that the government should address mental health issues brought about by the lockdowns and the pandemic.