Senator Mark Villar filed Senate Bill No. 2133, or the proposed Students’ Guidance Counseling Act, a measure seeking to strengthen school-based mental health programs and expand access to guidance and psychosocial support services for Filipino students nationwide.
Research published by Cambridge University Press earlier revealed the alarming rise in depressive symptoms among Filipino youth, showing that cases of moderate to severe depression among Filipinos aged 15 to 24 more than doubled over an eight-year period.
Studies have likewise pointed to the growing mental health challenges faced by learners, as increasing academic demands, socio-economic hardships, and other external stressors continue to affect the emotional and psychological well-being of students.
“Hindi dapat balewalain ang mental health ng ating mga kabataan. Marami sa ating mga estudyante ang nakakaranas ng matinding pressure sa paaralan at iba’t ibang personal na suliranin, ngunit madalas ay kulang ang suporta at gabay na kanilang natatanggap. Nakaaapekto ito hindi lamang sa kanilang pag-aaral kundi pati sa kanilang pangkalahatang kalusugan at kinabukasan,” Villar said.
“The current counselor-to-student ratio in the Philippines is estimated at around 1:14,000 — far behind the global standard of 1:250.
The legislator also highlighted the severe shortage of guidance counselors in the country, noting that the current counselor-to-student ratio in the Philippines is estimated at around 1:14,000 — far behind the global standard of 1:250.
According to the Department of Education, thousands of guidance counselor positions nationwide also remain vacant, limiting the capacity of schools to provide timely intervention and adequate psychosocial support for students experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, depression, bullying, and other mental health-related concerns.
In response to these challenges, the proposed measure seeks to institutionalize and strengthen guidance and counseling services in educational institutions nationwide.
The bill provides for the appointment of qualified counselors and the hiring and continuous training of at least one associate counselor or school social worker in public schools. It also promotes mental health and wellness programs, stronger referral systems, and timely intervention mechanisms for students requiring specialized care.
“Nais nating tiyakin na may sapat na mga propesyonal na handang umalalay at gumabay sa ating mga estudyante.”
“Sa pamamagitan ng panukalang ito, nais nating tiyakin na may sapat na mga propesyonal na handang umalalay at gumabay sa ating mga estudyante. Mahalaga ang maagang pagtukoy at agarang pagtugon sa mga suliraning may kinalaman sa mental health upang mas mabigyan ng tamang suporta ang ating mga kabataan,” the lawmaker emphasized.
Through these initiatives, the measure aims to help schools become safer and more supportive spaces for learners by equipping them with the necessary personnel and mechanisms to proactively address students’ mental health concerns.
“Napakahalaga na ang ating mga paaralan ay maging ligtas at maaasahang espasyo kung saan nararamdaman ng bawat estudyante ang gabay, malasakit, at suporta. Makakaasa kayo na patuloy tayong makikinig at pahahalagahan ang mental health concerns ng ating Kabataan,” the senator concluded.
