THE COMMISSION on Human Rights sought the immediate passage of Senate Bill 379 or the proposed Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act which will ensure the provision of mental health services to students.

The bill filed by Senator Win Gatchalian aims to institutionalize the Mental Health and Well-Being Program to provide mental health services, emotional, developmental and preventive programs and other support services.

The CHR reiterated its call for more holistic and cohesive mental health programs in response to the alarming mental health-related incidents among the youth.

The Department of Education reported during the Senate Committee Hearing on Basic Education that in 2021, 404 learners from public schools committed suicide and 2,147 students attempted to take their own lives.

During the same year, 775,962 students also sought out guidance. However, there were only 16,557 guidance officers and 2,093 registered guidance counselors to address the issues of the children.

The CHR stressed that no child should be subjected to pressure and harsh treatment that would drive them to isolation, self-harm or suicide.

“All children have the right to spend their learning years in a safe, nurturing space that promotes their dignity and mental well-being pursuant to the human rights principles set in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and other human rights instruments to which the Philippines is a signatory, as well as domestic laws protecting the rights and welfare of children,” it said.