Children’s group pushes for better mental well-being among students

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The nongovernmental group Save the Children Philippines has expressed grave concern for the health and well-being of millions of learners, following the escalation of suicide cases and attempts among students in 2021, as reported by the Department of Education (DepEd).

During the Senate hearing of the Committee on Basic Education on January 31, DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter Galban said they recorded a total of 404 learners who committed suicide, and that 2,147 learners had attempted suicide.

“Save the Children Philippines is alarmed at this report. It shows that we are failing to protect our children right in our homes and schools. Our future generation is crying for help and we need to do something about it. Let’s work together to bring  this issue to light and let us work together as a society, (including media), as a nation, and as resilient Filipinos, in finding ways to ensure that mental health issues among learners are addressed,” it said in a statement sent to The Mindanao Examiner.

The group said the country’s mental health crisis is a public health concern that requires an urgent whole-community approach response. “The gravity of the issue cannot be overlooked as the suicide rates may even increase in the coming years, if left unaddressed. To protect an entire generation from violence and untimely deaths, we need the national agencies and local governments to immediately act and work together to prevent years of progress from being reversed,” it said.

Save the Children Philippines said children from all backgrounds and identities have the right to mental health, adding, they deserve to live and learn in a safe and nurturing environment that will allow the children to develop their social and emotional skills, increase their space for play and interaction with peers, and provide them access to high quality mental health care and psychosocial support services.

Now more than ever, it said the inequalities experienced by learners - that were exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic - should be put to an immediate end. Learners should not face stressors and challenges alone.

“We have to be there for and with them in these trying times, and respond to their issues effectively to build back better for and with children,” the group said.

Save the Children Philippines also urged the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the DepEd to be at the forefront in curbing its impact.

“We also call the DOH to prioritize the integration of mental health care into primary care by increasing the availability and accessibility of mental health services, and training primary care professionals on the promotion, prevention, care and protection. We call on the DSWD to complement social welfare programs with child-friendly community-based mental health programs that address not only individual mental health and psychosocial needs but the overall psychosocial needs of the family unit as well,” it said.

There was no immediate statement from the DOH, DSWD and DepEd on the concerns raised by Save the Children Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)