DepEd assures preventive measures are ready to support teachers, students against mental health issues

The Department of Education (DepEd) recognizes the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to a person's mental health. On Friday, the department guaranteed that preventive measures to address mental health issues are established to support those who might need help.

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During the virtual Handang Isip, Handa Bukas press briefing, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that they are aware of the mental health issues and is initiating steps that would help prevent these issues that is currently influencing the whole education sector.

Briones said that when she became the DepEd secretary, the first issues she had to deal was mental health among teachers and learners. Saying that whatever human resources the department has, they will use it, and if it will come to a point that they can't manage it, they will seek help.

She added that DepEd has a health unit that is reaching out to help troubled students and teachers. Also, there are guidance counselors that are ready to help and if a case needs more, like prescription of medication or needs advices, they will ask the help and expertise of doctors.

She also said that DepEd knew that they have a shortage of professional guidance counselors as the current salary offered by the department does not attract them.

For those who need mental health services, Briones said most provinces have their own health facilities and they also offer counseling.

We are working with them because we cannot provide for needed human resources for this kind of issue and there are also various instances when we avoided extreme results because of intervention,

she added.

Undersecretary Jesus Mateo explained that DepEd mental health and psychosocial support needs are also coordinated with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRMMS). 

They hold webinars on this issue and we also have an arrangement with the Psychological Association of the Philippines to address these needs,

he added.

Briones admitted that DepEd has no expertise on mental health issues, especially those related to suicide, describing these as very complex. She said that it is a worldwide phenomenon and it’s dangerous for her to draw conclusions with regards to the incidents.