The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) and the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Schools Division Office of Manila, signed a memorandum of agreement on Wednesday to promote mental health literacy in public secondary schools. The partnership addresses the increasing mental health issues among adolescents by developing and piloting learning materials for junior high school students and teachers, with implementation planned for 2026 and potential nationwide adoption based on results. UPM College of Public Health professor Crystal Amiel Estrada explained, “The project aims to deliver mental health literacy lessons to junior high school students. We want to see if there will be an improvement in mental health literacy among the students.” She added, ”The modules do not teach about the diagnosis of mental disorders but to help learners recognize early warning signs and enable them to seek help early if needed.”
UPM Chancellor Michael Tee highlighted the university’s commitment, stating, “In addressing mental health challenges within our schools, it is essential to actively involve parents and teachers’ associations.” He further noted, “The best practices we will develop through this partnership with DepEd shall serve as a model we can replicate across the country.” Ernesto Gregorio, UPM’s Department of Health Promotion and Education Chair, mentioned that the program will evolve into a Comprehensive Health Promoting School model in collaboration with the World Health Organization, focusing on leadership training for principals. SDO Manila public schools district supervisor Arlen Gatpo expressed appreciation, saying, “We are very much willing to help our students, but sometimes, we do not know how to start or what to say. We don’t know how to approach our students.” The initiative aligns with Republic Act 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, amid high bullying rates (65% per 2018 PISA) and low resolution of cases (11% from 2022-2024), coinciding with National Mental Health Week.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) reminded the public on Thursday of the importance of mental health, urging holistic care through activities like staying active, spending time with loved ones, getting eight hours of sleep, sharing feelings, eating nutritious food, and seeking professional help. PhilHealth offers an outpatient benefits package for conditions such as depression and anxiety, with annual coverage of PHP9,000 for general services and PHP16,000 for specialized care, as per PhilHealth Circular 2023-0018, available for members and dependents aged 10 and above. This includes initial assessments, consultations, diagnostic tests, and psychosocial support, reinforcing the government’s efforts to prioritize mental well-being.