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

Senate Office of the ferretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 26 MAY -5 P3:46 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: 2108 S. No. - Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OF STATE AND LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Mental health is a cornerstone of human development, academic success, and national productivity. As institutions entrusted with shaping the country's future workforce and leaders, State and Local Universities and Colleges (SLUCs) serve millions of Filipino students and thousands of faculty and personnel across diverse geographic and socioeconomic contexts. Ensuring that these academic communities are supported by responsive, accessible, and culturally appropriate mental health services is both a social imperative and a strategic investment in the nation's human capital. This measure seeks to strengthen mental health services in SLUCs by institutionalizing comprehensive, campus-based systems of care that promote well- being, resilience, and academic success. The bill mandates the establishment of Mental Health Offices in SLUC campuses, staffed by qualified professionals and supported by evidence-based programs that address prevention, early intervention, crisis response, treatment, and aftercare. It ensures the integration of mental health promotion into curricula, student services, human resource programs, and campus safety systems, thereby embedding wellness into the everyday life of the academic community. To ensure sustainability and service quality, the bill provides for the

recruitment, professional development, and career progression of mental health professionals, establishes appropriate staffing standards, and supports continuing professional education. It also promotes inter-agency and community partnerships, enabling SLUCs to coordinate with health providers, local governments, and civil society to strengthen referral systems and expand support networks. By strengthening mental health systems in higher education institutions, this measure contributes to improved student retention and completion, enhanced productivity and workplace readiness, and healthier learning and working environments. It supports the development of resilient, emotionally healthy, and socially responsible graduates who are better prepared to contribute to national development. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate Office of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MAY -5 P3:46 First Regular Session ) SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. _ 2108 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda 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 to

4 uphold and protect the basic right of every Filipino to sound mental health and to 5 ensure equitable access to appropriate, timely, and culturally responsive mental health 6 interventions, therapy, and treatment. Pursuant to this mandate, the State shall promote the mental health and well- 8 being of students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel in the 9 campuses of State and Local Universities and Colleges (SLUCs) through the establishment of a Mental Health Office (MHO) in every SLUC; the recruitment, deployment, and professional development of qualified mental health service personnel; the conduct of a baseline mental health needs and capacity assessment in all SLUCs; the integration of mental health education and literacy into institutional programs; the extension of social protection measures, including disability support allowances to persons with psychosocial disabilities; and the institutionalization of

1 monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms. All SLUCs shall ensure the provision of proper, adequate, accessible, and inclusive mental health services to their constituents and communities. MHOs shall design and implement evidence-based programs that address emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial concerns, and foster a supportive and enabling learning and working 6 environment.

Sec. 3. Scope of Application. - This Act shall apply to all State Universities and

8 Colleges (SUCs) and all Local Universities and Colleges (LUCS). As used in this Act, the 9 term SLUCs shall collectively refer to SUCs and LUCs.

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

(a) Guidance Counselor refers to a natural person who has been duly 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) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9258, or 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 refers 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 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 psychosocial, psychiatric, or neurologic activities and programs encompassing the full range of mental health

support, including promotion, prevention, early intervention, treatment, and aftercare, which are provided by mental health facilities and professionals; (e) Psychologist refers 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, or 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 Needs and Capacity Assessment refers to a required institutional analysis of the mental health needs of SLUC communities and the available human, financial, and infrastructure resources for mental health service delivery; and (g) SLUC-Based Mental Health Service Personnel refers to any mental health professional who is hired or deployed by, or has a formal contract with, an SLUC to render mental health services on campus.

Sec. 5. Establishment of Mental Health Offices. - All SLUCs are hereby

mandated to establish a Mental Health Office (MHO) in each of their respective campuses, to be operated by licensed and trained mental health professionals serving as SLUC-based mental health service personnel: Provided, That the establishment and operation of MHOs shall be subject to the policies, standards, and guidelines jointly issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and the Civil Service Commission (CSC): Provided, further, That existing guidance and counseling offices or analogous units may be reorganized 27 and upgraded to constitute the MHO required under this Act, subject to compliance with the staffing and service standards herein prescribed. The MHO in each SLUC shall perform the following functions: (a) Implement inclusive, evidence-based 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 satellite campuses, in accordance with the SLUC-Based Mental Health Needs and Capacity Assessment; (b) Operate a twenty-four-seven (24/7) campus mental health hotline, accessible through both traditional telecommunications and digital platforms, attended by dedicated and trained guidance counselors to provide assistance to the SLUC community, with particular attention to students, individuals with a history of mental health conditions, and those presenting with elevated risk factors for self-harm or suicide; (c) Initiate and sustain information and education campaigns to raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma, prevent self-harm and suicide, promote wellness, and develop coping competencies among all campus constituents; (d) Establish and operate a crisis response and intervention mechanism, particularly for cases involving suicide, self-harm, and other immediate or life-threatening mental health emergencies, including mental health preparedness protocols for natural disasters, public health emergencies, and campus violence situations; (e) Coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Local Government Units (LGUS), professional organizations, civil society organizations, and non- government organizations for mental health referrals and supplementary support services; Integrate data privacy and confidentiality safeguards into all service delivery systems and records management processes in strict compliance with Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012; (g) Conduct an SLUC-Based Mental Health Needs and Capacity Assessment within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act, and update the same at least once every three (3) years or as may be required by CHED; (h) Prepare and submit an annual Mental Health Services Plan and Annual

Report to CHED, detailing program accomplishments, service utilization data, resource utilization, and recommendations for program improvement; (i) Establish a Mental Health Advisory Committee (MHAC) composed of the Head of the MHO as Chairperson, and duly designated representatives from the student body, faculty, non-teaching staff, and external mental health professionals, to guide program planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation; and (i) Perform such other functions as may be identified by CHED in coordination with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU).

Sec. 6. Integration of Mental Health into SLUC Programs and Policies. - All

SLUCs shall integrate mental health literacy, awareness, and promotion, wherever applicable, into the following: (a) General education curricula and institutional orientation programs for new students, faculty, and staff; (b) Research, extension, and student services programs; (c) Campus safety, emergency preparedness, and disaster risk reduction and management planning; and (d) Human resource management, faculty development, and employee wellness programs. CHED shall issue guidelines prescribing minimum competencies and learning 23 outcomes for mental health literacy integration into SLUC curricula and co-curricular activities.

Sec. 7. Recruitment, Training, and Deployment of Mental Health Professionals.

26 - Within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, all SLUCs shall ensure that their 27 MHOs are fully staffed with duly licensed, qualified, and eligible mental health professionals, including but not limited to psychologists, guidance counselors, and other allied mental health service providers. CHED, in coordination with DBM and CSC, shall determine appropriate staffing ratios, position classifications, and minimum competency standards for SLUC-based

1 mental health service personnel relative to campus enrollment size, geographic 2 location, and assessed community mental health needs. Pending the attainment of full staffing levels within the prescribed period, 4 SLUCs may adopt the following transitional measures: (a) Recruit psychology graduates or graduates from related disciplines who have not yet obtained licensure, provided that all services rendered by such personnel are performed exclusively under the direct supervision of a duly licensed mental health professional employed by the SLUC; (b) Require personnel recruited under subsection (a) to obtain the applicable professional license or certification within three (3) years from the date of their initial employment in the SLUC, failing which their employment or engagement may be terminated in accordance with existing civil service and labor laws; (c) Engage contract-of-service or part-time mental health service personnel, provided that such personnel shall not constitute more than forty percent (40%) of the total MHO staffing complement, except upon prior written approval by CHED for meritorious reasons; and (d) Provide continuing training and professional development support to all MHO personnel to ensure skills development and service quality.

Sec. 8. Contract-of-Service and Other Flexible Work Arrangements. - In cases

where SLUCs are unable to engage the services of qualified mental health personnel for regular plantilla appointment, the concerned SLUC shall be authorized to engage 23 mental health professionals under contract-of-service or other equivalent flexible work arrangements, whether on a full-time or part-time basis, subject to compliance with existing laws, rules, and regulations governing such arrangements, including applicable DBM issuances.

Sec. 9. Salary Scale. - The entry-level salary for qualified mental health

28 professionals employed by SLUCs under regular appointment shall not be lower than 29 Salary Grade 16 or its equivalent: Provided, That the career and salary progression of SLUC-based mental health service personnel shall allow for advancement from the minimum to the maximum salary grade by means of merit-based salary adjustments

1 and regular increments based on demonstrated competence, satisfactory 2 performance, and operational necessity.

Sec. 10. Professional and Career Development Program. - Pursuant to Republic

4 Act No. 10912, or the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016, CHED shall 5 formulate and implement continuing professional development programs and career 6 advancement initiatives for SLUC-based mental health service personnel. In coordination with DBM, CSC, DOH, and PRC, CHED shall: (a) Develop and regularly update a career and personnel development plan for SLUC-based mental health service personnel that includes provisions on personal wellness support, merit promotion, in-service training, graduate scholarships, research grants, and incentive award systems; (b) Ensure that the compensation of mental health professionals employed by SLUCs is commensurate with other related plantilla positions under the provisions of Republic Act No. 6758, or the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989, as amended; (c) Align the minimum qualification standards and competency outcomes for SLUC-based mental health service personnel with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10968, or the Philippine Qualifications Framework Act, and the relevant professional regulatory frameworks; (d) Regularly review and update the job descriptions, duties, and responsibilities of mental health professionals in accordance with current scientific evidence, professional standards, and applicable laws governing their respective professions; (e) Implement a performance evaluation system with structured feedback mechanisms to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of mental health service delivery and personnel competence; and (f) Provide periodic retooling, skills-upgrading, and cross-disciplinary training opportunities for SLUC-based mental health service personnel.

Sec. 11. Benefits. - All mental health professionals employed in MHOs of SLUCs

under regular appointment shall enjoy the rights, privileges, and benefits provided under Republic Act No. 7305, or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers, Republic

1 Act No. 11036, or the Mental Health Act, and other pertinent laws and applicable civil 2 service regulations.

Sec. 12. Expanded Access to Mental Health Services. - Subject to the availability

4 of sufficient resources and personnel, and upon the recommendation of the MHAC, 5 SLUCs may extend mental health services to students, faculty, and non-teaching staff 6 of private higher education institutions (HEIs) and technical-vocational institutions 7 (TVIs) located within their immediate locality. CHED, in consultation with SLUCs, TESDA, and recognized associations of 9 private HEIs and TVIs, shall formulate guidelines governing the scope, referral 10 mechanisms, cost-sharing arrangements where applicable, quality assurance standards, and monitoring systems for such expanded access: Provided, That the extension of services shall be non-discriminatory, shall not compromise the quality and accessibility of mental health services for primary SLUC constituents, and shall be aligned with the objectives of this Act.

Sec. 13. Monitoring and Evaluation. - CHED, in coordination with PASUC and

16 ALCU, shall develop and implement a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) 17 Framework for the effective, efficient, and equitable implementation of this Act. The M&E Framework shall include the following parameters, but not limited to: (a) Coverage, accessibility, utilization rates, and client satisfaction levels for mental health services across all SLUC campuses; (b) Performance ratings, professional competency compliance, and continuing development of SLUC-based mental health service personnel; (c) Utilization efficiency and accountability of budget allocations designated for mental health services; (d) Compliance of SLUCs with the staffing, program, reporting, and data privacy requirements of this Act; and (e) Outcome indicators reflecting trends in campus mental health status, crisis incidence rates, and referral efficacy. SLUCs shall be required to submit annual reports to CHED for review, and shall, 30 when directed by CHED, undergo validation audits and field inspections. SLUCs found 31 to be non-compliant shall be required to submit and execute a Corrective Action Plan

1 (CAP) within a period prescribed by CHED, with technical assistance from CHED as 2 warranted. CHED shall consolidate all findings and reports into an annual national report to be submitted to the Senate and the House of Representatives, and made 4 publicly available through the CHED website and other appropriate platforms.

Sec. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of

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

Sec. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from

8 the effectivity of this Act, CHED shall, in coordination with DBM, PRC, DOH, CSC, 9 PASUC, ALCU, and other concerned stakeholders, promulgate the necessary 10 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this 11 Act: Provided, That the non-promulgation of the IRR within the period prescribed shall not operate to prevent the immediate implementation of this Act upon its effectivity.

Sec. 16. Suppletory Application. - The applicable provisions of Republic Act No.

11036, or the Mental Health Act, shall apply suppletorily to this Act, insofar as they 15 are not inconsistent with the provisions and objectives herein.

Sec. 17. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

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

Sec. 18. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

20 order, letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 19. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

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