SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday renewed his call to strengthen mental health support systems in schools as the country observes National Wellness Month.

“As we celebrate National Wellness Month, I reaffirm my commitment to safeguarding the mental health of our fellow Filipinos, especially our learners,” Gatchalian said.

He stressed the importance of fully implementing the School-Based Mental Health Program and addressing the shortage of mental health professionals in the education system.

“By fully implementing the School-Based Mental Health Program and addressing the shortage of mental health professionals in schools, we can better respond to the mental health crisis affecting our students,” he added.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, also assured that the 2026 education budget will reflect these priorities.

“Patuloy nating itataguyod ang kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he said.

The senator has consistently advocated for stronger interventions to respond to rising cases of stress, anxiety, and depression among learners, stressing that mental health is just as important as physical health in ensuring students’ success and well-being.