BULACAN 6th District Rep. Salvador Pleyto is pushing for the hiring and deployment of more licensed mental health professionals in public schools to address the growing mental health concerns among Filipino students.

Through House Bill No. 11632, Pleyto seeks to require the Department of Education (DepEd) to deploy school-based licensed guidance counselors, psychologists, and other allied mental health professionals, including psychometricians and clinical social workers, in public basic education institutions.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Pleyto cited the rising incidence of mental health concerns among students, including anxiety, depression, and self-harm, which have been compounded by the lingering effects of the pandemic, cyberbullying, and academic pressure.

The proposed measure also highlighted the shortage of licensed mental health professionals in the public school system, with some schools reportedly having only one guidance counselor serving tens of thousands of students.

It identified uncompetitive compensation packages as one of the major reasons licensed guidance counselors and psychologists choose to work in private practice or corporate settings rather than in public schools.

To address this concern, the bill proposes upgrading the salary grades of these professionals from their current entry-level classifications to levels commensurate with their educational qualifications and licensure requirements.

Pleyto said the measure aims to establish an adequate student-to-mental-health-professional ratio and provide competitive compensation to attract and retain qualified personnel in public schools.

Ultimately, the proposed legislation seeks to ensure that every public school becomes a safe, nurturing, and psychologically supportive environment where Filipino students can access appropriate mental health services and support.