State and Local Universities and Colleges (Slucs ) Mental Health Services Act

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the Secretary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 AUG 12 PY :17 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1174 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OF STATE AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The mental health crisis among Filipino youth and young adults— particularly those enrolled in higher education institutions-has reached alarming levels. Recent studies and reports from government agencies, academic institutions, and non- government organizations have indicated a marked increase in cases of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among young people. News reports and social media discussions have helped raise awareness and foster greater acceptance of mental health challenges, which are being exacerbated by economic pressures, academic stress, persistent stigma, and limited access to timely mental health care. State and Local Universities and Colleges (SLUCs), as institutions of higher learning, have a central role to play in addressing the growing mental health needs of their academic communities. They must serve as safe spaces for early detection and timely intervention, while also delivering inclusive, responsive, and culturally sensitive mental health education and services. SLUCs are strategically positioned to bridge the gap between national mental health goals and the lived experiences of students, faculty, and staff through a preventive, proactive, and holistic approach to care. However, many SLUCs currently lack the institutional capacity, trained personnel, and adequate infrastructure to provide comprehensive mental health support services. Where programs do exist, they are often under-resourced and fragmented. This bill seeks to address these gaps by institutionalizing Mental Health Offices (MHOs) across all SLUC campuses, deploying qualified mental health professionals, and developing inclusive and sustainable mental health programs for students, faculty, and staff.

The proposed measure strengthens the mandate of SLUCs to promote mental well-being, ensure access to care and crisis response, and integrate mental health literacy across institutional policies, programs, and services. Key provisions of this measure include: • Establishment of Mental Health Offices in all SLUCs, which will serve as the focal unit for mental health promotion, intervention, referral, and capacity- building; • Recruitment, deployment, and training of mental health professionals, with provisions for continuing education, career development, and a minimum salary grade; • Integration of mental health education and literacy into academic, co-curricular, and student support programs; • Extension of services to nearby private higher education institutions and technical-vocational schools, where feasible, to promote broader access and inter-institutional collaboration; • Provision of adequate funding, through both the General Appropriations Act and internally generated SLUC resources, including the creation of a CHED- administered Mental Health Services Support Fund; • Implementation of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure compliance, service quality, and continuous improvement. This proposed measure aligns with the intent and spirit of Republic Act No. 11036, or the "Mental Health Act," while introducing specific and actionable mandates tailored to the unique context and needs of higher education institutions. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. RISA HONTIVEROS aniler saraquel Senator

Senate OKier of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 AUG 12 P1: :17 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1174 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OF STATE AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be It enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "State and Local

2 Universities and Colleges (SLUCs) Mental Health Services Act."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State

4 to uphold the basic right of every Filipino to sound mental health and to ensure access 5 to appropriate and necessary interventions, therapy, and treatment. Pursuant to this mandate, the State shall institute policies to promote the 7 mental health and wellness of students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel in the campuses of SLUCs through, among others: the establishment of a Mental Health Office (MHO) in all SLUCs; recruitment, deployment, and training of additional SLUC-based mental health service personnel; conduct of a baseline mental health needs and capacity assessment in all SLUCs; inclusion of mental health education in SLUC programs; and extension of social protection measures, including the grant of disability support allowance to persons with psychosocial disabilities.

All SLUCs shall ensure the provision of proper and adequate mental health 2 services to their respective constituents and communities. Mental Health Offices shall design and implement programs to address emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial issues and foster a supportive learning and working environment.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) Guidance Counselor shall refer to a natural person who has been registered and issued a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card by the Professional Regulatory Board of Guidance and Counseling and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) in accordance with Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004," and who, by virtue of specialized training, performs the functions of guidance and counseling for a fee, salary, or other forms of compensation: Provided, That this definition shall be without prejudice to those registered as guidance counselors pursuant to Section 14 of Republic Act No. 9258; b) Mental Health shall refer to a state of well-being in which an individual realizes one's own abilities and potential, copes adequately with the normal stresses of life, displays resilience in the face of extreme life events, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a positive contribution to the community; c) Mental Health Professional shall refer to a medical doctor, nurse, guidance counselor, psychologist, or any other appropriately trained and qualified person with specific skills relevant to, and necessary for, the provision of mental health services; d) Mental Health Services shall refer to psychosocial, psychiatric, or neurologic activities and programs encompassing the full range of mental health support services, including promotion, prevention, treatment, and aftercare, which are provided by mental health facilities and professionals;

e) Psychologist shall refer to a natural person who is duly registered and holds a valid Certificate of Registration and a valid Professional Identification Card as a professional psychologist, issued by the Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology and the PRC pursuant to Republic Act No. 10029, otherwise known as the "Philippine Psychology Act of 2009," for the purpose of delivering psychological services: Provided, That this definition shall be without prejudice to those registered as psychologists pursuant to Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10029; f) SLUC-Based Mental Health Service Personnel shall refer to any mental health professional who is hired or deployed by, or has a contract with, an SLUC to render mental health services on campus; an g) SLUC-Based Mental Health Needs and Capacity Assessment shall refer to a required institutional analysis of the mental health needs of SLUC communities and the available human, financial, and infrastructure resources.

Sec. 4. Establishment of Mental Health Offices in All SLUCS. - All SLUCs

shall be mandated to establish a Mental Health Office in their respective campuses to be operated by trained mental health professionals serving as SLUC mental health service personnel: Provided, That the establishment and operation of Mental Health Offices in SLUC campuses shall be subject to the policies, standards, and guidelines issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Civil Service Commission (CSC). The Mental Health Offices in SLUCs shall perform the following duties and functions: a) Implement inclusive mental health programs, projects, and activities designed to promote the mental health and well-being of students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel employed in SLUC campuses and their satellites in line with the SLUC-Based Mental Health Needs and Capacity Assessment;

b) Operate 24/7 campus hotline numbers attended by dedicated and trained guidance counselors to provide assistance to the SLUC community, with special attention to the needs of students, individuals with a history of mental health problems or conditions, and those with higher risk factors for self-harm or suicide; c) Initiate and sustain information campaigns to raise mental health awareness, prevent self-harm and suicide, promote wellness, and develop coping skills; d) Establish a mechanism for crisis response and intervention, particularly for cases involving suicide and other immediate or life-threatening emergencies, including mental health preparedness for natural disasters, pandemics, or campus violence; e) Coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Local Government Units (LGUs), private sector, civil society, and non-government organizations for mental health referrals and support services; f) Integrate data privacy and confidentiality safeguards in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act; g) Submit an annual Mental Health Services Plan and Report to CHED; h) Create a Mental Health Advisory Committee (MHAC) composed of the head of the MHO, as Chair, and representatives from students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and mental health professionals to guide program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; and i) Perform other duties and functions in relation to mental health awareness and promotion as may be identified by PASLUC and CHED.

Sec. 5. Recruitment, Training, and Deployment of Mental Health

Professionals in SLUC Campuses. - Within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, all SLUCs shall ensure that their Mental Health Offices are staffed with licensed, qualified, and eligible mental health professionals, including, but not limited to, psychologists, guidance counselors, and other allied mental health providers. Pending full staffing, SLUCs may:

a) Recruit psychology graduates or those from related fields without licensure, provided they operate under the supervision of licensed professionals; b) Require such personnel to obtain licenses or certifications within three (3) years of hiring; c) Limit contract-of-service or part-time personnel to not more than 40% of MHO staff, except with CHED approval; and d) Provide training and continuing education to support skills development. CHED shall determine appropriate staffing ratios and competency standards per SLUC campus size.

Sec. 6. Professional and Career Development Program for In-Campus

Mental Health Professionals. - Pursuant to Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as the "Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016," CHED shall formulate and implement training programs and development initiatives for SLUC mental health personnel. 15 In coordination with DBM, CSC, DOH, and PRC, CHED shall: a) Develop a career path and development plan, including merit promotion, wellness support, in-service training, and scholarship grants; b) Ensure compensation aligns with Republic Act No. 6758 (Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989); c) Align qualifications with Republic Act No. 10968 Philippine Qualifications Framework Act); d) Regularly update job descriptions and responsibilities of mental health professionals; e) Implement performance evaluation systems with feedback mechanisms; f) Offer retooling and skills upgrading workshops.

Sec. 7. Integration into SLUC Programs. - All SLUCs shall integrate mental

health literacy and promotion, whenever applicable, into general education and orientation programs; research, extension, and student services; campus safety and

1 emergency preparedness planning; and human resource management and faculty 2 development.

Sec. 8. Salary Scale. - The entry level salary for qualified mental health

4 professionals employed by SLUCs shall not be lower than Salary Grade 16 or its 5 equivalent. Provided, That the career and salary scales of mental health professionals in SLUCs shall allow for progression from minimum to maximum salary by means of salary adjustments and/or regular increments based on necessity, merit, and 8 competencies.

Sec. 9. Recruitment of Mental Health Personnel on a Contract-of-

10 Service and Other Similar Work Arrangements. - In cases where SLUCs are 11 unable to engage the services of qualified personnel for regular appointment, the concerned SLUC shall be authorized to engage the services of mental health professionals under contract-of-service or other similar work arrangements, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations.

Sec. 10. Expanded Access to SLUC Mental Health Services - Subject to

the availability of resources and personnel, SLUCs may extend mental health services to students, faculty, and non-teaching staff of private higher education institutions 18 (HEIS) and technical and vocational educational institutions (TVEls) within their 19 locality. CHED, in consultation with the SLUCs, TESDA, and recognized associations of private HEIs and TVEIs, shall formulate the necessary guidelines to govern the scope, referral mechanisms, cost-sharing arrangements, if applicable, and monitoring systems to ensure that such services are rendered without compromising the quality and accessibility of mental health services for SLUC constituents: Provided, That such access shall be non-discriminatory and aligned with the objectives of this Act to foster a holistic and inclusive approach to mental health and well-being in higher, technical and vocational education.

Sec. 11. Benefits. - All mental health professionals employed in the Mental

Health Offices of SLUCs shall enjoy the rights, privileges, and other benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta of Public Health

1 Workers," Republic Act No. 11036, otherwise known as the "Mental Health Act," and 2 other pertinent laws.

Sec. 12. Monitoring and Evaluation. - CHED, in consultation with PASUC

and ALCU, shall develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation 5 (M&E) framework for the effective implementation of this Act. The M&E framework shall include, but not be limited to, the assessment of coverage, accessibility, and utilization of mental health services across all SLUCs; the performance, competencies, and training compliance of SLUC-based mental health service personnel; and the utilization and efficiency of budget allocations and resources designated for mental health services. SLUCs shall be required to submit annual reports to CHED for review and, if necessary, undergo validation audits and field inspections: Provided, That SLUCS found to be non-compliant shall be required to submit and execute a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) within a period prescribed by CHED: Provided further, That CHED shall consolidate its findings into an annual national report to be submitted to Congress and made publicly available.

Sec. 13. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions

of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) and may also be sourced from the SLUCs' internally generated income. CHED shall administer a Mental Health Services Support Fund to assist resource-constrained SLUCs in complying with this Act.

Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, CHED shall, in coordination with the DBM, PRC, DOH, PASUC, ALCU and other concerned stakeholders, promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

Sec. 15. Suppletory Application. - The applicable provisions of Republic Act

No. 11036, otherwise known as the "Mental Health Act," shall apply suppletorily, insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions and objectives of this Act.

Sec. 16. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act, or any provision not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders,

issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,