Inclusion and promotion of mental health in all DepEd events and programs

The Covid-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenge to the education sector.

The rising number of cases and presence of community transmissions have not only hampered physical classes, but also brought about mental and psychological distress to the learners and personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) and its stakeholders.

DepEd prioritizes the promotions and protection of the mental health and general welfare of its personnel and learners, especially in this time of crisis. DepEd Order No. 14, s, 2020 titled Guidance on the Required Health Standards in Basic Education Offices and Schools highlights this priority through the provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) to improve and strengthen the mental resilience of all learners and DepEd personnel.

The provision of MHPSS entails access to different helplines for mental health. In this regard, all DepEd offices are instructed to include and promote the enclosed poster provided by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) in all events and programs.

As the pandemic continues to challenge the populace, the enclosed poster containing the helplines from different organizations will provide learners and DepEd personnel different ways to seek help and persons to contact in times of mental and psychological distress. These organizations may provide mental health and psychosocial support services, as well as wellness checks. The poster may be shown towards the end of events and programs for as long as the country is suffering from COVID-19 pandemic.

All numbers, both Mental Health Helplines and COVID-19 Emergency Hotlines, shall be updated every March and October of the year since the issuance of the memorandum.

For more information, please contact the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City through email at [email protected] or telephone numbers (02) 8637-4933.

Read DepEd MEMORANDUM No. 074, s. 2021 for more details.