Youth mental health takes center stage in BBM’s SONA; President orders crackdown on bullying

• During SONA 2025, President Marcos Jr. issued a direct order to boost mental health services for Filipino youth in public schools, emphasizing the urgent need for more school counselors

• The President's directive targets the escalating issues of bullying and emotional challenges among students, recognizing the need for government intervention beyond academic assistance

• A new nationwide initiative, the "YAKAP Caravan," was announced, offering free medical services and aiming to facilitate early detection of psychological stress among students and teachers

• President Marcos revealed a PHP 1 billion allocation for over 300 new Barangay Child Development Centers, a crucial step in addressing the long-standing shortage of daycare facilities across the country

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. used his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to issue a direct mandate for the immediate enhancement of mental health support for Filipino youth, particularly in public schools.

Amid escalating concerns over student well-being, the President emphasized the critical need for more school counselors and a holistic approach to addressing bullying and emotional distress.

President Marcos underscored the significant emotional burdens many students continue to face, recognizing that these challenges require robust government intervention beyond traditional academic assistance.

His directive comes at a time when alarming reports on student suicides, school-related violence, and online harassment have heightened public anxiety, prompting calls for more comprehensive support systems within educational institutions.

A key component of the President's marching order is the call for the Department of Education (DepEd) to significantly increase the number of qualified school counselors.

These professionals are envisioned as crucial first responders and support systems for students grappling with distress, depression, or the effects of bullying.

This move directly addresses a long-acknowledged critical shortage; DepEd itself has previously highlighted a severe lack of guidance counselors, with thousands of schools often sharing a single professional, if they have one at all.

Advocacy groups have consistently pushed for better mental health provisions in schools, a need exacerbated by the isolation and pressures of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond direct counseling, President Marcos also announced the launch of the "YAKAP Caravan," a nationwide initiative designed to bolster student and teacher welfare.

While primarily focused on physical health services such as free medical check-ups, cancer screenings, and essential medicines, the YAKAP program is also expected to open avenues for the early detection of psychological stress, anxiety, and depression, especially in underserved communities.

This integrated approach aims to ensure that mental wellness assessments become an embedded part of school-based health programs through collaborative efforts between education and health agencies.

Further reinforcing the foundational support for early childhood development, President Marcos revealed an allocation of PHP 1 billion.

This substantial investment is earmarked for the construction of over 300 Barangay Child Development Centers and "Bulilit Centers" across the country, prioritizing areas with the greatest need.

He characterized this as merely the initial step in rectifying a severe shortage of daycare facilities that has persisted since the 1990s.

Despite the passage of the Mental Health Act in 2018, its implementation within the basic education sector has faced considerable hurdles, largely due to the dearth of licensed guidance counselors.

The President’s resolute statements signal a renewed and urgent commitment to operationalizing the act's provisions within schools.

While the administration has yet to release specifics on the exact number of new counselor positions to be created or a precise hiring timeline, education stakeholders view Marcos's pronouncements as a vital policy shift, firmly placing student mental health at the core of national education reform efforts.

The move highlights a crucial recognition that a healthy mind is fundamental to effective learning and overall national progress.

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is the 17th President of the Philippines, elected in May 2022 with a historic majority vote. He is the son of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who ruled the country from 1965 to 1986. Before his presidency, Marcos Jr. served in various public offices, including as governor of Ilocos Norte, congressman, and senator.

During his SONA, President Marcos Jr. also delivered a scathing indictment of corruption in flood control projects, citing "failures," "collapsed" structures, and "imaginary" projects that worsened recent flood devastation. The President explicitly called out euphemisms for illicit financial schemes in public works, such as "kickbacks" and "ghost projects," receiving a standing ovation for his candor. Marcos ordered the DPWH to submit a public list of all flood control projects from the past three years for audit, vowing that legal charges would be filed against culpable officials and contractors. He appealed for justice for those affected by floods, emphasizing the burden on future generations due to debts incurred from misused public funds.

He also lightheartedly declared PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III a "new champion," adding a surprising moment of humor amidst a serious address. The President's jest was a direct nod to Torre's recent charity boxing match against Acting Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, where Torre won by default due to Duterte's absence. Despite the no-show, the "Boxing for a Cause" event successfully raised over PHP 20 million from ticket sales and donations for victims of recent heavy rains and typhoons. The spontaneous remark, reportedly not in the President's prepared speech, provided a memorable interlude that amused the audience and highlighted the lighter side of national politics.

Source: KAMI.com.gh