SENATOR SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN STATE AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
/ 25 October 2025
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize and strengthen mental health services across State and Local Universities and Colleges (SUCs and LUCs), in response to what she described as a “growing mental health crisis” among Filipino youth and young adults.
Under Senate Bill No. 1174, or the proposed State and Local Universities and Colleges Mental Health Services Act, Hontiveros aims to ensure that every campus has a dedicated Mental Health Office (MHO) equipped with trained professionals, inclusive programs, and sufficient resources to promote the mental well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
“The mental health crisis among our youth has reached alarming levels. Our campuses must become safe spaces that provide early detection, timely intervention, and culturally sensitive mental health care,” Hontiveros said in her explanatory note.
Citing data from government and academic sources, Hontiveros noted the rise in cases of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among young people. These issues, she said, have been aggravated by economic pressures, academic stress, stigma, and limited access to mental health services.
The proposed measure mandates all SUCs and LUCs to establish MHOs that will serve as the primary units for mental health promotion, intervention, referral, and crisis management.
These offices will be staffed by qualified mental health professionals such as psychologists, guidance counselors, and psychiatrists.
Within five years of the law’s enactment, all SUCs and LUCs must ensure their MHOs are fully staffed with licensed mental health practitioners. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in coordination with other relevant agencies, will determine staffing standards, competency requirements, and salary structures — with entry-level professionals earning no lower than Salary Grade 16.
To build long-term capacity, the bill also provides for a career development program that includes continuous training, scholarships, and wellness support for mental health professionals.
Hontiveros’ proposal likewise directs SUCs and LUCs to integrate mental health literacy and promotion into general education curricula, student orientation activities, research, extension work, and campus safety programs.
In addition, schools may extend their mental health services to nearby private colleges and technical-vocational institutions when resources allow, fostering wider access and inter-campus collaboration.
