PARAÑAQUE City 2nd District Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has filed a measure seeking the establishment of accessible mental health services in all State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

Under House Bill No. 7354, Yamsuan proposed the creation of a Mental Health Office (MHO) in every SUC to provide mental health support for students and members of the academic community.

The measure complements recent initiatives of the Department of Education to strengthen mental health support for learners in the basic education sector, including the launch of the Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline #33733.

“While the DepEd has been focused on ensuring the mental well-being of students in the basic education sector, no such initiative has been institutionalized at the tertiary level to benefit college students, who are as vulnerable to emotional stress, depression and even bullying,” Yamsuan said.

The lawmaker was referring to DepEd’s nationwide rollout of the 24/7 helpline, which connects elementary and high school students to the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline for immediate assistance.

“Our proposed legislation will address these gaps in the implementation of government programs aimed at effectively responding to the growing mental health crisis among our youth,” he added.

Yamsuan cited the results of a 2021 nationwide survey conducted by the University of the Philippines Population Institute, which found that 7.5 percent of Filipino youth aged 15 to 24 had experienced suicidal thoughts, more than double the 3 percent recorded in 2013.

The survey also showed that the number of young people who reported feeling depressed increased from 7 percent in 2013 to 11 percent in 2021.

In 2023, the country recorded 3,133 deaths due to intentional self-harm, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Around 30 percent of these cases involved individuals aged 15 to 24, Yamsuan noted.

“Hindi lamang academic pressure kundi stress, anxiety, depression at iba pang mental health concerns ang maaaring maranasan ng mga college students, lalo na kung sila ay nagtratrabaho habang nag-aaral, o kaya naman ay malayo sa pamilya,” he said.

Under the proposed bill, MHOs would establish hotlines staffed by trained guidance counselors who could provide assistance not only to students but also to faculty members and other members of the SUC community.