THE QUEZON City government has approved the Mental Health Code to train barangay employees, teachers and non-teaching staff to address the first signs of mental health problems among students.

“Sa paraang ito, mabilis silang maire-refer sa mga propesyonal. Tuturuan din ang nasabing focal persons ng psychological first aid at iba pang protocol para sa referral,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement.

The city government likewise launched the QC Birth Registration Online to fast-track the registration of birth certificates, cutting the process from one month to just two weeks.

The mayor also reported that the New Molave Youth Home was established in Barangay Payatas for children in conflict with the law.

The NMYH is a 340-bed residential and rehabilitation center where CICLs are provided with rehabilitation and free legal services and education.

“Nasa 1,015 CICLs ang natulungan ng mga programang ito simula January hanggang November 15. Dahil karapatan nilang matuto, garantisado iyan dito sa QC, at hindi hadlang ang rehabilitasyon sa kanilang edukasyon,” Belmonte said.

The mayor noted that more than 700 CICLs were enrolled in elementary and high school while 201 have already graduated.

The city also also opened Bahay Kalinga in Barangay N.S. Amoranto, a residential facility for children in need of special protection.

“Mula January hanggang November 15, may 190 na bata na, ang nasa protective custody nito. Dito, binibigyan natin sila ng masustansyang pagkain, medical assistance, at tinuturuan din sila sa ilalim ng ALS at Special Education,” Belmonte said.

She said that the city government also launched the Kabahagi Center and Tahanan. The former provides free disability assessment and therapy interventions for children with disabilities, while the latter is a rehabilitation and treatment center for victims of substance abuse.