To support Filipino students' mental health, a new toolkit was recently launched in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Recognizing the growing concern over student well-being, Unilab Foundation collaborated with government agencies and mental health professionals to create the Heads Up PH program, designed to support schools and colleges nationwide.
Heads Up PH is Unilab Foundation's initiative focused on mental health, promoting a holistic approach through programs based on the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Framework and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
Data from DepEd revealed 404 cases of completed suicides and 2,147 attempted suicides among public school students during the 2021-2022 school year.
Suicide rates among Filipino youth have risen dramatically, from 3 percent in 2013 to 7.5 percent in 2021, affecting almost 1.5 million young individuals.
Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 29, according to the World Health Organization.
Systemic challenges
Dr. Sheila Marie Hocson, a former President of the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association and current Resource Person for Heads Up PH, outlined various factors contributing to the mental health crisis among students.
These include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty, bullying, internet addiction, family and academic pressures, climate change, and a lack of mental health literacy and resources.
"In public schools, one guidance counselor serves about 25,000 students. Additionally, there aren’t enough mental health professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists, or developmental pediatricians, and private mental health services are often costly," Hocson said.
The Philippine Mental Health Association reports that there is less than one mental health worker for every 100,000 Filipinos.
Overcoming the stigma
Mental health stigma remains a significant barrier, discouraging students from seeking help.
Studies show that many young people with suicidal thoughts prefer confiding in friends rather than family members or mental health professionals.
The 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute found that 62 percent of youth with suicidal ideation did not reach out for help, and only 2 percent sought professional assistance.
Hocson stressed that the lack of mental health diagnoses prevents access to necessary programs for young people.
Empowering schools
Heads Up PH aims to equip teachers and school staff with the tools needed to recognize signs of mental health struggles through the "Race Against Suicide Toolkit," a suicide prevention program implemented in schools.
The toolkit addresses the shortage of mental health professionals and the limitations of service delivery, offering early detection and timely intervention.
Marie Joan Urieta, Program and Strategic Support Director of Unilab Foundation, explained the toolkit's purpose, “We aim for early detection, timely intervention, and a practical referral system. This will help close the gap and provide necessary access to mental health professionals.”
Heads Up PH provides training for guidance counselors, teachers, school administrators, and nurses to help them identify, assess, and manage mental health issues and suicide risks.
The initiative also focuses on addressing the lack of awareness, resources, and policies in schools to accommodate students with mental health challenges.
In partnership with DepEd, the Child and Adolescent Risk Screener (CARS) is being introduced in public schools to gather data on youth mental health, guiding data-driven policies.
To date, the Heads Up PH RACE Toolkit has been piloted with over 200 trainers and more than 5,000 trained gatekeepers across 17 regions, in collaboration with DepEd and private schools.
Additionally, Unilab Foundation signed an agreement with CHED to launch a Training the Trainers Program on Suicide Prevention for higher education institutions.
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