THE Department of Education has conducted webinar programs on mental health awareness to support students and teachers as the health issue poses as one of the biggest challenges of the department, according to Secretary Leonor Briones.

“Malaking challenge ngayon sa psychosocial ng ating mga tao, sa gobyerno, mga bata, mga teachers yung general mental health,” she said in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.

Briones said it is important to focus on the mental health of the people. She even cited one student who died by suicide due to anxiety.

“Yung anxiety Mr. President, hindi naman nagsusuicide ang mga tao araw-araw pero yung anxiety yung takot at tsaka yung fears lumalabas kung minsan yung mga behavior, usually not typical of Filipinos na nang-aaway, mga relationships na nasisira, mga bata lumabag sa mga parents,” she said.

“May program kami na mental health and psychosocial support, talagang right from the beginning mayroon na kaming programang ganito Mr. President na kailangan i-increase ang physical mental health resilience ng ating mga learners, ng ating mga teachers,” she added.