CAVITE CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are collaborating to strengthen peer support systems among learners in the country’s schools.
During the observance of Mental Health Month in Cavite City, the DOH and the World Health Organization emphasized the important role of peer groups in helping overcoming one’s mental issues.
According to the WHO, one out of three older teens experience mental issues – and that it would be helpful if children are able to support one another in times of difficulty.
“A lot of times, people don’t give younger people a lot of credit because young people are doing so much to support your own resilience and support one another… Young people deserve safe spaces, they deserve honest conversations, and they deserve the support that they can definitely count on. That’s the change that WHO, DOH, and DEPED work together to achieve,” said WHO Acting Deputy Representative Ms. Olivia Lawe Davies.
DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations Georgina Ann Yang emphasized that mental wellbeing begins at home and in friend groups.
“Kahit magagaling at masisipag ang ating mga teacher, kakailanganin nila ng tulong ng ating pamilya dahil ang mental health at wellbeing ay nagsisimula sa bahay, sa community,” she said.
(Even if our teachers are excellent and determined, they will still need the help of our families because mental health and wellbeing begins at home and in communities.)
The DepEd is working towards establishing school-based mental department health orders to increase confidence in school counselors and promote healthy spaces for mental health in academic institutions.
“Alam natin na isa to sa mga pangangailangan natin… Kung minsan tayo ang naghahanap ng care o kalinga sa ating mental health. Hinahanap natin kadalasan yan sa ating mga magulang, kapatid, kaibigan, at lalo na sa mga teachers na pangalawang mga magulang,” Yang noted.
(We know that this is one of our needs… Sometimes, we all look for care when it comes to our mental health. We often look for it from our parents, siblings, friends, and especially teachers who serve as our second parents.)
“Sana yung ating mga learners, pag may mga problema, wag mahiya lumapit sa mga teacher, mga guidance counselor, kasi di kayo pagagalitan dahil kayo ay kagalingan at pangangalagaan nila,” she added.
(I hope that our learners won’t hesitate to approach their teachers or guidance counselors if they have problems. You will not be scolded, but you will be guided and cared for.)
For his part, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo advised students and the youth to depend on the support of their peers if they encounter difficulties that affect their mental health.
“Sa lahat po ng mga gumamit na ng AI for mental health support, there is nothing wrong with what you did but there is a better way of doing it. And that is interacting with a human being. Hindi kailangan na professional agad, kahit po reach out to your friends or vice versa,” he said.
(To all who are using AI for mental health support, there is nothing wrong with what you did but there is a better day of doing it. And that is interacting with a human being. It doesn’t have to be a professional right away, but you can reach out to your friends or vice versa.)
During the event, the DOH also turned over the Peer Support Playbook that contains mental health guidelines for teachers and counselors.
These guidelines will be followed in dealing with their students’ mental health without a registered guidance counselor. The Peer Support Playbook will be distributed to schools nationwide.
The guide is in line with Republic Act 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act which promotes the delivery of mental health services and wellbeing in educational institutions. — JMA, GMA Integrated News
