SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go reiterated the importance of prioritizing the mental health of learners, especially in basic education.

Go stressed the need to craft programs that will focus on the welfare of students’ mental health to further strengthen the foundation upon which the future of the country is built.

As chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go explained that while basic education equips the youth with knowledge, skills and values, and empowers them to become responsible citizens and contributors to society, the well-being of students should not be overlooked in the pursuit of academic excellence.

“We must acknowledge the inseparable connection between education and mental health, as a child cannot thrive academically if his or her mental well-being is compromised,” he said.

The senator co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2200 or the Basic Education’s Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act which was endorsed for plenary deliberations by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

The measure aims to provide comprehensive mental health support for the basic education of students and promote their overall well-being by requiring private and public basic education schools to integrate mental health education and support services into their curricula.

Considering the increasing prevalence of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression among the youth, Go said promoting mental health must be a crucial component of the educational system so students can develop resilience, coping mechanisms, and emotional intelligence, which are vital for their overall growth and success.