Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN ACT ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR THE SUPPORT OF
THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF TEACHERS, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 2 of the Mental Health Act states that “the state affirms the basic right of all Filipinos to
mental health as well as the fundamental rights of people who require mental health services.”
Teachers, who play a vital role in shaping the development of students, face significant levels of
stress that impact their mental health and, in turn, their effectiveness in the classroom. According
to a study, regression analysis showed that mental health status significantly impacts the learning
resource development of teachers.1 Common stressors for teachers include excessive paperwork,
financial difficulties, large class size, and juggling of multiple responsibilities.2 Teachers are
often confronted with numerous paperwork and heavy workload. As a result, they are
constrained to carry these at home.
Given this, it is imperative upon the state to provide mental health services to our teachers. This
bill seeks to establish a holistic mental health care package to improve the well-being of our
teachers. It also aims to provide regular mental health assessments, regular counselling sessions,
stress-reduction programs and access to peer support groups and mentoring programs for
teachers. It further establishes Mental Health and Wellness Liaisons to assist and connect
teachers to mental health care providers as needed. By prioritizing the mental well-being of
teachers, we can support their holistic role as educators and promote a healthier and more
conducive learning environment for our students.
HON. MA. ALANA SAMANTHA TALIÑO SANTOS
Representative, 3rd District of Cotabato
1 https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1287736.pdf
2 https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/pdf/conferences/research-congress-proceedings/2017/LLI/LLI-I-
020.pdf
June 19, 2023
11:50 am
8552


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House Bill No. _______
Introduced by Honorable Ma. Alana Samantha Taliño Santos
AN ACT ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR THE SUPPORT OF
THE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF TEACHERS, PROVIDING 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 Teacher’s Mental Health and
Wellness Act of 2023."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to provide holistic support to
all educators in the country, recognizing the crucial role they play in nation-building. The State
shall ensure that the teachers' mental, emotional, and psychological well-being is given the same
importance as their professional development as their welfare directly affects the quality of
education.
Section 3. Programs and Services. – The Department of Education (DepEd), in
coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Mental Health
Association, shall establish and promote the following programs and services for the welfare and
well-being of teachers:
a) Regular mental health assessments of the teachers every school semester, conducted by
registered and licensed psychologists or related professionals;
b) Regular counseling sessions for teachers, focusing on stress management, emotional
stability, and coping mechanisms;
c) Stress-reduction programs, such as workshops that teach mindfulness, meditation,
relaxation techniques, and time-management;
d) Access to peer support groups and mentoring programs for teachers, with focus on
creating a safe space for expression and collaboration;
e) Periodic seminars led by mental health professionals to raise awareness and improve
understanding about mental health issues among teachers;
f) Establishment of Mental Health and Wellness Liaisons to assist and connect teachers to
mental health care providers as needed, and to monitor the progress of well-being programs
within their schools or regions;
g) Promote work-life balance through the formation of interest-based clubs, sports
competitions, and other recreational opportunities; and
h) Any other programs and services as deemed necessary by the DepEd, the DOH, and the
Philippine Mental Health Association.
In line with Section 24 of Republic Act No. 11036 otherwise known as the “Mental Health
Act”, all educational institutions shall ensure that the foregoing programs and services are
integrated and established in their respective schools. These educational institutions shall
likewise coordinate with DEPED for the development of appropriate policies and adoption of
strategies to promote mental health among their teaching personnel.
8552


Section 4. Monitoring and Evaluation. - The DepEd, in coordination with the DOH and
Philippine Mental Health Association, shall conduct a yearly monitoring and evaluation of the
programs and services under this Act.
Section 5. Funding – The financial assistance necessary for the effective implementation
of the programs and services under this Act shall be included in the yearly General
Appropriations Act (GAA) under the DepEd and DOH.
Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The DepEd and DOH shall promulgate
the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within ninety (90)
days upon its effectivity.
Section 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.
Section 8. Repealing Clause. –Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent or contrary to the provision of this Act is
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 9. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,