THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Laoag City joined hands with the provincial government of Ilocos Norte to protect the mental health and well-being of students.

A resolution was unanimously approved by members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan authorizing Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with DepEd Laoag City.

“For learners who are burned out or those who are lacking the motivation to accomplish the activities in their modules, it’s okay to not feel okay and it’s definitely okay to ask for help,” Schools Division Superintendent Vilma Eda said.

“At DepEd Laoag, Project HOPELine 24/7 is reaching out to its students by calling their registered phone numbers, asking them about their issues and concerns about homeschooling, and provide them with free and appropriate guidance and counseling including other forms of support,” Eda said.

The school’s medical team and school nurses also keep in touch with all learners to check on them every month.

So far, Eda said around 549 learners have been validated.

Rhona Ysabel Daoang, head of the Ilocos Communications Media Office, asserted that students are not alone.

“Since October last year, the provincial government’s ‘Speak Up, I’m Here’ communication hotline has responded to almost 100 callers from Ilocos Norte including outside the province as far as Zamboanga as well as in the provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur,” Daoang said.

Aside from responding to callers who have bouts of anxiety and depression, Daoang said they have also partnered with certified counseling professionals across the province.

“They will also conduct a series of activities including face-to-face consultations, uploading videos on mental health, symposia, or webinars, and opening a 24/7 hotline service that seeks professional mental advice. With this, struggling learners in the province can likewise take advantage of the program as the DepEd and the Ilocos Norte government share the same objective,” Daong said.