Youth Suicide Prevention Act

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES P5:30 REUTE OF THE PHILPHEE First Regular Session JUL -& SENATE S. No._ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT TO PROVIDE EARLY YOUTH SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION EXPANSION EXPLANATORY NOTE Nearly one in five young Filipinos have considered ending their life, according to findings of a nationwide survey released by the University of the Philippines Population Institute'. In 2021, studies showed that almost 1.5 million Filipino youth had suicidal attempt or tendencies. The suicidal rate amongst the youth is alarming in the Philippines considering that the percentage had already doubled from 2013. This is a serious concern that needs the intervention of the State. While suicidal tendency is already a known mental health issue, Filipino families had little to no knowledge on the proper intervention that they may undertake in case one of its members succumb to this scenario. Often than not, Filipino families, especially those within below poverty line, tend to treat suicide as a common illness that will be cured by taking medicine or rest. Some take suicide incidences as a degrading experience that may humiliate their family reputation. Thus, leaving suicide attempts as untreated and our young ones suffer for a long period of time. This bill seeks to institutionalize suicide intervention throughout the country by formulating life planning education for Filipino youths. Should this bill be enacted into law, training will be provided to all concerned stakeholders to increase awareness on how to address suicide cases in the country. This shall also enforce the employment https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1678021/I-of-5-young-filipinos-have-considered-suicide-up-survey#ixzz7prA06SuN

of a psychologist in every school, in order to provide early intervention to youth with suicidal tendencies. This is consistent with the State's mandate provided in Section 13 Article II of the Constitution to promote and protect the social wellbeing of the youth. In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FEARLE OFFERINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -8 75:30 SENATE REC ..-= S. No. 258 Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT TO PROVIDE EARLY YOUTH SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION EXPANSION Be 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 "Youth Suicide

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 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 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 18 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, 2 teachers, guidance counselors, and other schools personnel responsible for delivering 3 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

6 consultation with the DepEd, is mandated to tap doctors, health specialists, medical 7 experts, hospitals and other medical institutions to conduct a nationwide education 8 campaign to help the youth, parents of youth, teachers, school personnel and the 9 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 32 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 care and treatment of youth in all child-serving settings and agencies who are at risk for suicide; g) Work with interested families and organizations to conduct annual self- evaluation of outcomes and activities on the national level, according to 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 7 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 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 (LGUs), and non- 16 governmental institutions to establish a network of health facilities and teen centers 17 catering especially to young people in order to address their identified youth issues. 18 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

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