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PARA kay Senador Bong Go, hindi dapat ipagwalang bahala ng pamahalaan ang mental health ng mga kabataang estudyante sa mga kolehiyo at pamantasan.
Partikular na target ng panukalang batas ni Go tuldukan ang mga insidente ng pagpapatiwakal ng mga mag-aaral bunsod ng mahinang naturaleza – higit lalo sa hanay ng mga estudyante sa kolehiyo.
Kalakip ng panukalang “State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) Mental Health Service Act of 2025 ang tinawag niyang “nakakaalarmang datos” ng Department of Education (DepEd).
Nakasaad sa naturang datos na nakalap para sa school year 2023-2024 ang pagpapatiwakal ng 245 estudyante. Pumalo naman sa 142 ang pinalad makalusot sa bingit ng kamatayan pagkatapos ng tangkang suicide.
“Recent studies and reports have shown a concerning rise in cases of depression, anxiety, stress, and even suicide among students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs),” wika ni Go.
“These mental health issues are often intensified by academic pressure, economic hardship, family problems, social isolation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” dugtong ng senador.
Sa ilalim ng naturang panukala, obligado ang mga state colleges and universities na magtayo ng Mental Health Office sa bawat campus para tutukan ang campus-wide awareness campaigns, suicide prevention strategies, at wellness programs.
Pasok din sa mungkahi ni Go ang pagkuha ng mga dalubhasa sa larangan ng mental health tulad ng psychologists, guidance counselors, at social workers.
“This proposed measure mandates all State Universities and Colleges to establish, enhance, and institutionalize mental health services and programs that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of students,” aniya pa.
“This includes the hiring of qualified mental health professionals, creation of campus-based wellness centers, implementation of preventive education programs, and integration of mental health policies into the university and colleges system.” (FJA)
