Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 163

Introduced by: HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI VILLAFUERTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In recent years, the mental health of young Filipinos has emerged as a critical public
health issue, amplified by academic pressures, the psychological aftermath of the COVID-19
pandemic, and the pervasive influence of digital technologies. Increasing rates of depression,
anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal ideation among students have been documented in multiple
studies and echoed by educators and healthcare professionals nationwide. At the same time,
the rise of social media and digital platforms has introduced new and poorly regulated risks
ranging from addictive design and algorithmic manipulation to cyberbullying and exposure to
harmful content that directly affect the psychological well-being of children and adolescents.

While the Philippine Mental Health Act of 2018 (Republic Act No. 11036) affirms the
right of all Filipinos to mental health care and mandates the provision of services in educational
institutions, its implementation remains uneven and underfunded, especially at the basic
education level. Many public schools still lack access to trained mental health professionals,
and the majority of students have no regular channel for counseling, early intervention, or
emotional support. Moreover, the regulatory framework to safeguard young Filipinos in the
digital environment remains limited, despite growing evidence that certain digital design
choices can significantly exacerbate mental health challenges.

This proposed measure, the “Mental Health and Digital Wellbeing for Youth Act of
2025,” builds on the intent of R.A. 11036 and the constitutional directive under Article II,
Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being of the youth. It seeks to institutionalize comprehensive
school-based mental health care and establish a national response to the emerging risks posed
by unregulated digital environments.

The bill proposes the deployment of licensed mental health professionals such as
psychologists, guidance counselors, or psychiatric nurses to every public high school and state
university within three years, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), the
Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). It also
mandates annual mental health screenings, the establishment of safe spaces for emotional
processing, and training programs for teachers in trauma-informed and empathy-based
approaches.

‘These initiatives are aligned with the DOH’s mandate to lead the development of a
national mental health strategy under R.A. 11036 and to promote a holistic approach to
adolescent well-being. By integrating the mental health responsibilities of the DOH with



responsive education policy and forward-looking digital regulation, this measure delivers a
systemic and rights-based approach to protecting the mental and emotional health of Filipino
students. It recognizes that youth mental health is both a public health and human development
priority, one that demands sustained investment, cross-sectoral coordination, and

compassionate policy design.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

——

HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI VILLAFUERTE
District 2, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 4° 63

Introduced by: HON. VINCENZO RENATO LUIGI VILLAFUERTE

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND
DIGITAL WELLBEING PROGRAM, PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH
PROFESSIONALS IN SCHOOLS, REGULATING HARMFUL DIGITAL
PRACTICES, AND STRENGTHENING EARLY INTERVENTION FOR FILIPINO
STUDENTS.

Section 1. This Act shall be known as the “Mental Health and Digital Wellbeing for Youth Act
of 2025.”

Section 2. Itis the policy of the State to protect the mental, emotional, and psychological health
of the Filipino youth. Recognizing the rising incidence of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and
digital addiction among students, the State shall institutionalize responsive, school-based
mental health services and regulate the harmful effects of digital platforms on the well-being
of minors.

Section 3. This Act aims to:

a. Ensure access to early, preventive, and non-stigmatizing mental health support in all
public schools and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs);

b. Deploy trained mental health professionals to educational institutions nationwide;

c. Regulate youth-targeted digital platforms to prevent algorithmic harm and addi
design;

4. Promote digital literacy and emotional resilience among students;

e. Create a nationwide platform for youth mental health support through technology.

Section 4. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) shall implement comprehensive mental health services in all public secondary schools
and SUCs, including:

a. Deployment of at least one licensed mental health professional (psychologist, guidance
counselor, or psychiatric nurse) per public high school and university campus within
three (3) years from the effectivity of this Act;

b. Annual mental health screenings and wellness mapping for students; and creation of

safe spaces for counseling, peer support, and emotional processing;

. Confidential and non-punitive referral system for at-risk students;

|. Training programs for teachers on mental health first aid, trauma-informed approaches,
and empathy-based discipline.

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Section 5. All schools shall observe an annual “Digital Detox Week,” a week-long series of
activities promoting offline connections, creative expression, nature engagement, and digital
self-regulation.

DepEd and CHED shall integrate Digital Detox Week into the official school calendar
starting School Year 2026-2027.

Section 6. DepEd, CHED, and the Department of Health (DOH) shall publish an annual report
on Youth Mental Health and Digital Behavior, covering:

a. Trends in depression, anxiety, digital usage, and suicide risk among students;

b. Regional disparities and emerging mental health issues;

c. Policy recommendations and accountability of digital platforms.

Section 7. The necessary funds for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act (GAA). The DepEd, CHED, DOH, and the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall coordinate to ensure adequate and
timely release of funds. Local government units (LGUs) may also allocate funds to support this,
‘Act within their jurisdiction.

Section 8. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, DepEd, CHED,
and DICT shall convene a Joint Task Force to draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations
(IRR).

Section 9. If any provision or part of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remaining
provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10. All laws, executive orders, issuances, and rules and regulations inconsistent with
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 11. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,