Manila: The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) and the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Schools Division Office of Manila (SDO Manila), have announced a new partnership aimed at boosting mental health literacy in public secondary schools. This initiative was formalized on Wednesday with the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to tackle the increasing mental health issues among adolescents.
According to Philippines News Agency, the partnership emphasizes the need for evidence-based and community-driven strategies to improve mental well-being within educational settings. Central to this collaboration is the creation and pilot implementation of educational materials designed to enhance mental health literacy among junior high school students and their educators. Scheduled for rollout in 2026, the program's outcomes will be evaluated for potential nationwide adoption.
Professor Crystal Amiel Estrada from the UP Manila College of Public Health highlighted the project's focus on delivering mental health literacy lessons rather than diagnosing disorders. The aim is to help students identify early warning signs of mental health issues and seek assistance promptly. UPM Chancellor Michael Tee underscored the importance of involving parents and teachers' associations in addressing mental health challenges, with the project serving as a model for national replication.
The mental health literacy initiative is an extension of a project initiated in 2019 with the Japan Institute for Health Security, which produced educational and multimedia tools on mental health. These resources will be pilot-tested in selected schools in Manila.
Ernesto Gregorio, Chair of UPM's Department of Health Promotion and Education, mentioned plans to develop the program into a model for a Comprehensive Health Promoting School, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education - Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network. Gregorio highlighted leadership capacity building for school principals as a key strategy.
Arlen Gatpo, SDO Manila public schools district supervisor, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, noting that it will empower teachers to better support students facing mental health challenges. Common issues identified include anxiety, depression, and bullying, with the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) citing the Philippines as having one of the highest bullying rates worldwide.
The partnership supports the government's agenda to institutionalize mental health promotion in schools under Republic Act 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, signed into law in 2024. The law's Implementing Rules and Regulations were released by DepEd in March.
Coinciding with National Mental Health Week, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reiterated the importance of mental health, encouraging holistic self-care and open dialogue about mental health issues. PhilHealth offers an outpatient benefits package for various mental health conditions and provides financial coverage for both general and specialized mental health services.
