State Universities and Colleges (Sucs) Mental Health Service Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -7 A10:66 SENATE Anis in S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT MANDATING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Recent studies and reports have shown a concerning rise in cases of depression, anxiety, stress, and even suicide among students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). These mental health issues are often intensified by academic pressure, economic hardship, family problems, social isolation, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the passage of Republic Act No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, marked a milestone in promoting mental health awareness in basic education, there remains a significant gap, particularly for the population of the youth in tertiary education who need the same psychological intervention. Strengthening mental health services in SUCs will ensure that students are not only academically supported but also emotionally and psychologically equipped to face the demands of higher education and life beyond graduation. This initiative will also help destigmatize mental health issues, encourage help-seeking behavior, and foster safe and nurturing academic environments.

This proposed measure mandates all State Universities and Colleges to establish, enhance, and institutionalize mental health services and programs that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of students. This includes the hiring of qualified mental health professionals, creation of campus-based wellness centers, implementation of preventive education programs, and integration of mental health policies into the university and colleges system. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 A10:06 SENATE S. No. Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go AN ACT MANDATING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 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 Universities and

Colleges (SUCs) Mental Health Service Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Pursuant to the policy of the State to protect

and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them, the State shall institute policies to promote the mental health and wellness of students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel in State Universities and Colleges.

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

(a) Guidance counselor refers to an individual who possesses a license or certification granted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and holds at the minimum a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling, Guidance, or Counseling, without prejudice to those registered under the grandfather's clause of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004", and is competent to perform guidance and counseling, career guidance and implement mental health programs; (b) Mental health refers to a state of well-being in which the individual realizes one's own abilities and potentials, 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 refers 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 refer to the psychosocial, psychiatric, or neurologic activities and programs along the whole range of the mental health support services including promotion, prevention, treatment, and aftercare, which are provided by mental health facilities and mental heath professionals; (e) Psychologist refers to a natural person who has professional training and clinical skills in psychotherapeutic intervention and assessment for mental health problems and possesses a license or certification granted by the PRC and holds at the minimum a master's degree in Psychology without prejudice to those granted licenses under the grandfather's clause of Republic Act No. 10029, otherwise known as the "Philippine Psychology Act of 2009"; and (f) SUCs-based mental health service personnel refers to any mental health professional who is hired or deployed by, or has a contract with an SUC to render mental health services in its campus.

Sec. 4. Establishment of Mental Health Offices in All SUCs Campuses. - The

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall, subject to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the policies, standards, and guidelines of the CHED, require all SUCs to establish a Mental Health Office in all their campuses. The Mental Health Offices shall set up campus hotlines with dedicated and trained guidance counselors to provide assistance to the whole SUC community, especially the students. Special attention shall be given to those identified to have mental health problems or conditions, especially those at risk of committing suicide.

Sec. 5. Mental Health Programs in SUCs. - The CHED and the SUCs, through

their Mental Health Offices, shall initiate and sustain a heightened campaign to raise the collective consciousness about mental health. The awareness campaign shall give special emphasis to the issues of suicide prevention, stress handling, mental health and nutrition, and guidance and counseling. The campaign shall ensure that the whole SUC community, especially the students, is aware of in-campus mental health services. The SUCs, through the Mental Health Offices, shall implement mental health programs and projects designed to promote the mental health and well-being of faculty, students, and personnel alike. The CHED shall, in coordination with the SUCs, establish mechanisms to maximize existing services offered by other executive departments such as the attached agencies to the Department of Health (DOH) dealing with mental health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Sec. 6. Mental Health Office Personnel. - Each Mental Health Office shall be

manned by trained mental health professionals who shall serve as the mental health service personnel of the SUCs. The SUCs-based mental health service personnel of the Mental Health Offices, including those who shall be hired upon the effectivity of this Act, shall create a mechanism for timely crisis intervention and suicide prevention and the appropriate response strategies for the whole SUCs community, especially the students.

Sec. 7. Hiring, Training and Deployment of Mental Health Professionals. -

Subject to the guidelines set by the CHED and the SUCs, CSC and DBM, the SUCs shall hire, train and deploy mental health professionals, including psychologists, to the Mental Health Office to ensure that each SUC shall have mental health professionals or mental health service providers. The SUCs shall, in coordination with the CHED, prepare the appropriate plantilla positions to be submitted to the DBM for evaluation and approval for the additional SUC-based mental health service personnel to be hired under this Act, subject to the existing organizational, staffing, position classification and compensation policies, rules, and regulations. Notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004", , SUCs may hire, as may be necessary, college graduates who do not yet qualify as mental health professionals but who possess a background in psychology or similar fields to provide mental health services: Provided, That the CHED shall provide for the appropriate training and instruction of such college graduates in order for them to gain and develop the necessary skills to render counselling services to faculty, students and school personnel, and assist them in managing mental health issues: Provided, further, That such services shall be rendered under the supervision of qualified mental health professionals within the schools division: Provided, finally, That a college graduate hired to work in a Mental Health Office shall, within three (3) years from the date of employment in the SUC, secure the appropriate license to practice as a mental health professional and meet the relevant qualification requirements of their position. The CHED and the SUCs, through the Mental Health Offices, shall formulate a scheme for the continuous training of mental health service personnel, taking into consideration the latest scientific studies, psycho-social approaches and know-how on mental health and mental health services, in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as the "Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016".

Sec. 8. Professional and Career Development of Mental Health Professionals. -

The CHED shall, in coordination with the DBM, CSC, DOH and the PRC: (a) Prepare a uniform career and personnel development plan that shall include provisions on personal wellness, merit promotion, performance evaluation, in-

service training, graduate scholarships, research grants, and incentive award system; (b) Match the salary grades of mental health professionals with related plantilla items under the provisions of Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise known as the "Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989," as amended; (c) Align the qualifications and standards for the qualification outcomes of Mental Health Professionals to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise known as the "Philippine Qualifications Framework Act"; (d) Revisit the organizational structure of the SUCs to provide competent and professional personnel who shall provide supervision and technical assistance to the guidance counselors; (e) Review, revise and develop the duties and responsibilities of mental health professionals in accordance with laws governing their professions; (f) Prepare a performance evaluation plan that considers the improvement of the efficiency and organizational effectiveness of each counselor: Provided, That each employee shall be informed regularly by their immediate supervisor of the evaluation of their performance; and (9) Provide periodic training, aimed at retooling and upgrading the skills of mental health professionals.

Sec. 9. Contractual Hiring of Mental Health Personnel. - In case of a scarcity of

mental health professionals who are available to work on a full-time basis in a Mental Health Office, the concerned SUC may hire qualified professionals on a contractual or part-time basis, subject to the evaluation and approval of the DBM.

Sec. 10. Benefits. - All mental health professionals employed in the various

Mental Health Offices shall enjoy the rights, privileges, and other benefits provided in Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the "Magna Carta of Public Health Workers" ', Republic Act No. 11036, otherwise known as the "Mental Health Act", and other pertinent laws.

Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the

effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the DOH, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, and other concerned stakeholders, issue rules and regulations to govern the hiring, training and deployment of guidance counselors, psychologists and other mental health service personnel in SUCs, and for the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 13. Suppletory Application. - The applicable provisions of Republic Act No.

11036, otherwise known as the "Mental Health Act", insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, shall apply suppletorily.

Sec. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

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

Sec. 15. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

Sec. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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