Youth Suicide Prevention Act

Senate Difice of the Scartary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR -9 P4:13 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1948 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT TO PROVIDE EARLY YOUTH SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION EXPANSION EXPLANATORY NOTE "Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan." - José Rizal. This statement reflects the profound trust our national hero placed in the youth as the builders and bearers of the nation's future. The 1987 Philippine Constitution echoes this sentiment in Article II, Section 13, which mandates the State to promote and protect the social well-being of the youth, recognizing their critical role in nation-building. However, despite these ideals, the modern challenges facing young people are alarming. Suicide has emerged as a serious global public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), suicide was the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds worldwide in 2019. In the Philippines, the Department of Health reported a suicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 population in the same year, highlighting that the youth-our nation's "pag-asa"—are vulnerable to mental health crises.1 Unfortunately, many Filipinos still struggle to understand that suicidal tendencies are serious mental health issues that require proper attention and intervention. Some believe that these thoughts can be simply "cured" by medication alone or by consulting traditional or eastern healers, overlooking the complex "Alibudbud, R. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103538

psychological, social, and environmental factors involved. Given this reality, it is crucial to implement active intervention and prevention programs that not only provide support for at-risk youth but also raise awareness about the seriousness of suicide and mental health challenges. By doing so, we can create a society that acknowledges these issues and equips young Filipinos with the resources they need to thrive. This measure seeks to institutionalize suicide intervention by directing the relevant government departments and agencies to develop and implement comprehensive programs. These include employing licensed psychologists with experience in suicide prevention, establishing peer counseling group programs in every school under the supervision of school psychologists or guidance counselors, and conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of both new and existing preventive strategies. Through these initiatives, the bill provides more than just a framework; it establishes a coordinated system of support that can identify at-risk youth early and respond effectively to their needs. In pursuit of safeguarding the well-being of the youth, the immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought.. • * JV EJERCITO

SendiP Office of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAR -9 P4:13 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1948 Introduced by Senator IV Ejercito AN ACT TO PROVIDE EARLY YOUTH SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION EXPANSION Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Youth Suicide

2 Prevention Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Under Section 13, Article II of the 1987

Constitution, the State shall promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being of the youth. In view of this policy, the State shall promote youth programs that will shape their values and inculcate in them positive self-image, self-respect, critical thinking and moral responsibility to enable them to 8 become principle-centered and values-driven individuals. It is recognized by the State 9 that the youth suicide is a public health tragedy linked to underlying mental health 10 problems and the youth suicide early intervention and prevention activities are national priorities.

Sec. 3. Formulation of Life Planning Education - The Department of Education

(DepEd), in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH, is mandated to formulate and include in the elementary and secondary education curriculum a course of Life Planning. Life Planning Education (LPE) shall require lectures and discussions on self and identity, family, community values, communication and interrelationship with others, sexuality and gender roles, community participation, health, psychological

thinking and employment, among others. The DepEd is mandated to ensure that LPE is integrated in all schools. Training shall be provided to school administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, and other schools personnel responsible for delivering LPE. The DepEd is likewise mandated to formulate a mechanism for sustaining peer counseling and peer education programs.

Sec. 4. Implementation of Public Education Campaign. - The DOH, in

consultation with the DepEd, is mandated to tap doctors, health specialists, medical experts, hospitals and other medical institutions to conduct a nationwide education 9 campaign to help the youth, parents of youth, teachers, school personnel and the general public to: a) Become aware of the increasing problem of youth suicide and suicidal behavior; b) Recognize common warning signs of suicidal thoughts and intents; c) Learn how to respond to youth who exhibit such signs; and d) Know when and where to go for accurate assessment and professional help. The DOH shall also develop and implement nationwide youth suicide early intervention and prevention strategies and education campaigns in schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance abuse programs, mental health programs, foster care systems, and other child and youth support organizations.

Sec. 5. Implementation of a Peer Counseling Group Program in Every School.

- The DepEd is mandated to require all schools to implement a Peer Counseling Program that will be conducted by the school psychologist or guidance counselor and shall involve lessons on basic counseling skills and analyses for students. The school may also tap the help of health specialists through the above-mentioned Public Education Campaign.

Sec. 6. Employment of Psychologist for Monthly School Counseling Alignment

Sessions. - The DepEd, in cooperation with the DOH, is mandated to employ at least one (1) psychologist in every school. The psychologist shall be employed in a consultancy service position and shall be required to visit school at least once a month to hold School Counseling Alignment Sessions. The school psychologist must also prepare a yearly School Counseling Program of Work in order to align the guidance

counselors with the campaigns and programs included in this Act. Said psychologists must be licensed to practice the profession in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations. The duties and responsibilities of the school psychologist are, but not limited to, following: a) Gain up-to-date scientific knowledge about effective screening and crisis intervention strategies to identify symptoms of suicidal behavior; b) Formulate and implement standardized and reliable screening procedures of suicidal intent and tendencies; c) Provide consultation and assist students in seeking help from their parents, other adults in social networks, and health care system personnel; d) Increase competencies in post suicide intervention; e) Offer immediate support, information resources and appropriate services to the families of youth who are at risk for emotional behavioral disorders which may lead to suicide attempts; f) Provide timely referrals for appropriate community-based mental health 16 care and treatment of youth in all child-serving settings and agencies 17 who are at risk for suicide; g) Work with interested families and organizations to conduct annual self19 evaluation of outcomes and activities on the national level, according to 20 established standards; h) Other duties and responsibilities which DepEd and DOH may identify as necessary to fulfil the above mandate. The DOH is hereby mandated to provide technical assistance to schools with respect to training psychologists in schools. It shall implement the best practice in the identification and treatment of youth who are at risk for committing suicide.

Sec. 7. Provision of Technical Assistance and Data Management - The DOH is

mandated to assist the DepEd in: a) Identifying and promoting strategies to prevent suicide among the youth; b) Ensuring the quality of screening and crisis intervention strategies and procedures; and

c) studying the effectiveness of practices relating to the identification and treatment of youth who are at risk for committing suicide on the overall wellness and health promotion strategies related to suicide attempts; The DOH shall conduct research and development programs on the effectiveness of new and existing youth suicide prevention strategies and related research aimed at reducing youth suicide and providing support for emotional and behavioral disorders which may lead to suicide attempts. The DOH is likewise mandated to develop a suicide data collection system to provide reliable data about 9 attempted suicides in the country. In developing the system, the DOH shall: a) Include information on the incidence attempt; b) Include demographic information on the persons who attempt suicide; and c) Explore prevention strategies to reduce the number of attempted suicides and suicides.

Sec. 8. Establishing of Youth Health Centers. - The DOH may establish linkages

with national government agencies, local government units (LCDs), and 16 nongovernmental institutions to establish a network of health facilities and teen centers catering especially to young people in order to address their identified youth issues. These health facilities and teen centers shall provide family services, peer counseling and other related services and collaborate with parents, schools, religious groups, and youth-serving organizations to successfully implement youth suicide prevention strategies.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The DepEd and DOH, in

consultation with the National Center for Mental Health, National Youth Commission, local and national organizations that serve youth, shall issue the IRR within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter. An initial amount of Fifty Million Pesos (Php 50,000,000.00) shall be allocated for the first year of its implementation. Such sum shall be included in the special project allocation of the DepEd and DOH.

Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of

instructions, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed notified, amended, or repealed accordingly.

Sec. 13. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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