NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S. No. 178B
Senate
- (JDfficr of !ljf
23 JAN 26 All :49
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong"T. Go
AN ACT
MANDATING PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO STRENGTHEN 
THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Mental health disorders are often overlooked, with many failing to recognize 
the signs and symptoms. This has been a major problem for every individual especially 
to students. Formal psychological help-seeking behavior is estimated at only 22.17% 
among Filipinos, and inaccessibility of mental health and wellness services and 
facilities is one of the main contributing factors.1 Reported suicide rates in the 
Philippines have been increasing over the past several decades, particularly among 
young people, with the latest estimate in 2015 indicating 17% of young people aged 
13-15 having attempted suicide.2
The COVID-19 pandemic has put Filipino youth's mental health and well-being 
under immense strain. Currently, there is still a lack of unified and comprehensive 
strategies in place to protect students from the effects of their demanding learning 
activities.
1 Martinez, A.B., Co, M., Lau, J. et al. Filipino help-seeking for mental health problems and associated barriers 
and facilitators: a systematic review. Soc Psychiatry Epidemiol 55.1397-1413 (2020). 
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01937-2
2 Prevention and Management of Mental health Conditions in the Philippines: The Case for Investment. 
https://www.undp.org/philippines/publications/prevention-and-management-mental-health-conditions- 
philippines-case-investment


This proposed measure strengthens the mental health services of public 
universities and colleges by the establishment of a Mental Health Office in all public 
higher education institutions (HEIs), and the hiring, deployment, and training of 
additional HEI-based mental health service personnel. The CHED and the public 
HEIs, through their Mental Health Offices, shall initiate and sustain a heightened 
campaign to raise the collective consciousness about mental health.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S. NO. 178B
1 iC^SWif of ll)c »'■ t‘ 
'■?
23 JAN 26 All ‘49
RECEIVED 8V:
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
MANDATING PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS TO STRENGTHEN 
THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Public Higher 
Education Institutions Mental Health Offices Act of 2023".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -Pursuant to the policy of the State to protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them, and in accordance with the mandate of educational institutions to raise 
awareness on mental health issues, identify and provide support and services for 
individuals at risk, and facility access, the State shall institute mechanisms to further 
empower educational institutions in promoting the mental health and wellness of 
students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel in public 
higher education institutions.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) College-based mental health service personnel refers to any mental health 
professional who is hired or deployed by, or has a contract with a higher education 
institution to render mental health services in its campus;
(b) Guidance counselor refers to an individual who possesses a license or certification 
granted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and holds at the 
minimum a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling, Guidance, or Counseling, 
without prejudice to those registered under the grandfather's clause of Republic 
Act No. 9258, otherwise known as the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004", and


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of 2004", and is competent to perform guidance and counseling, career guidance 
and implement mental health programs:
(c) Mental health refers to a state of well-being in which the individual realizes one’s 
own abilities and potentials, 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:
(d) 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:
(e) Mental health services refer to the psychosocial, psychiatric, or neurologic 
activities and programs along the whole range of the mental health support 
services including promotion, prevention, treatment, and aftercare, which are 
provided by mental health facilities and mental health professionals:
(f) Psychologist refers to a natural person who has professional training and clinical 
skills in psychotherapeutic intervention and assessment for mental health 
problems and possesses a license or certification granted by the PRC and holds 
at the minimum a master's degree in Psychology without prejudice to those 
granted licenses under the grandfather's clause of Republic Act No. 10029, 
otherwise known as the "Philippine Psychology Act of 2009": and
(g) Public Higher education institutions (HEIs) refer to public post-secondary 
education institutions, which include state and local universities and colleges, 
TVET institutions and specialized public institutions that provide undergraduate 
and graduate degree programs in such fields as law, theology, medicine, 
business, music, and art, among others.
Sec. 4. Establishment of Mental Health Offices in All Public HEI Campuses. - 
All Public HEIs shall establish a Mental Health Office in all their campuses subject to 
the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM), and the policies, standards, and guidelines of 
the CHED.
The Mental Health Offices shall set up campus hotlines with dedicated and 
trained guidance counselors to provide assistance to the whole HEI community, 
especially the students. Special attention shall be given to those identified to have 
mental health problems or conditions, especially those at risk of committing suicide.
Sec. 5. Mental Health Programs in Public HEIs. - The CHED and the public 
HEIs, through their Mental Health Offices, and in consultation with student 
governments, shall initiate and sustain a heightened campaign to raise the collective 
consciousness about mental health. The awareness campaign shall give special 
emphasis to the issues of suicide prevention, stress handling, mental health and 
nutrition, and guidance and counseling. The campaign shall ensure that the whole


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HEI community, especially the students, is aware of in-campus mental health 
services.
The public HEIs, through the Mental Health Offices, shall implement mental 
health programs and projects designed to promote the mental health and well-being 
of faculty, students, and personnel alike. The CHED shall, in coordination with public 
HEIs, establish mechanisms to maximize existing services offered by other executive 
departments such as the attached agencies to the Department of Health (DOH) 
dealing with mental health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD).
Sec. 6. Mental Health Office Personnel. - Each Mental Health Office shall be 
manned by trained mental health professionals who shall serve as the mental health 
service personnel of the HEIs.
The HE I-based mental health service personnel of the Mental Health Offices, 
including those who shall be hired upon the effectivity of this Act, shall create a 
mechanism for timely crisis intervention and suicide prevention and the appropriate 
response strategies for the whole HEI community, especially the students.
Sec. 7. Hiring, Training and Deployment of Mental Health Professionals. - 
Subject to the guidelines set by the CHED and the HEI, CSC and DBM, the public HEI 
shall hire, train and deploy mental health professionals, including a psychologist, to 
the Mental Health Office to ensure that each HEI shall have mental health 
professionals or mental health service providers.
The public HEI shall, in coordination with the CHED, prepare the appropriate 
plantilla positions to be submitted to the DBM for evaluation and approval for the 
additional HEI-based mental health service personnel to be hired under this Act, 
subject to the existing organizational, staffing, position classification and 
compensation policies, rules, and regulations.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Republic Act No. 9258, otherwise known as 
the "Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004", public HEIs may hire, as may be 
necessary, college graduates who do not yet qualify as mental health professionals 
but who possess a background in psychology or similar fields to provide mental 
health services: Provided, That the CHED shall provide for the appropriate training 
and instruction of such college graduates in order for them to gain and develop the 
necessary skills to render counselling services to faculty, students and school 
personnel, and assist them in managing mental health issues: Provided, further. 
That such services shall be rendered under the supervision of qualified mental health 
professionals within the schools division: Provided, finally. That a college graduate 
hired to work in a Mental Health Office shall, within three (3) years from the date of 
employment in the HEI, secure the appropriate license to practice as a mental health 
professional and meet the relevant qualification requirements of their position.
The CHED and the public HEIs, through the Mental Health Offices, shall 
formulate a scheme for the continuous training of mental health service personnel.


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taking into consideration the latest scientific studies, psycho-social approaches and 
know-how on mental health and mental health services, in accordance with the 
provisions of Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as the "Continuing 
Professional Development Act of 2016".
Sec. 8. Professional and Career Development of Mental Health Professionals. 
- The CHED shall, in coordination with the DBM, CSC, DOH and the PRC:
(a) Prepare a uniform career and personnel development plan that shall include 
provisions on personal wellness, merit promotion, performance evaluation, in- 
service training, graduate scholarships, research grants, and incentive award 
system;
(b) Match the salary grades of mental health professionals with related plantilla 
items under the provisions of Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise known as the 
"Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989," as amended:
(c) Align the qualifications and standards for the qualification outcomes of Mental 
Health Professionals to the provisions of Republic Act No. 10968, otherwise 
known as the "Philippine Qualifications Framework Act":
(d) Revisit the organizational structure of the public HE Is to provide competent 
and professional personnel who shall provide supervision and technical 
assistance to the guidance counselors;
(e) Review, revise and develop the duties and responsibilities of mental health 
professionals in accordance with laws governing their professions;
(f) Prepare a performance evaluation plan that considers the improvement of the 
efficiency and organizational effectiveness of each counselor: Provided, That 
each employee shall be informed regularly by their immediate supervisor of 
the evaluation of their performance; and
(g) Provide periodic training, aimed at retooling and upgrading the skills of 
mental health professionals.
Sec. 9. Contractual Hiring of Mental Health Personnel. - In case of a scarcity 
of mental health professionals who are available to work on a full-time basis in a 
Mental Health Office, the concerned HEI may hire qualified professionals on a 
contractual or part-time basis, subject to the evaluation and approval of the DBM.
Sec. 10. Mental Health Offices in private HEIs. - Private HEIs shall endeavor 
to establish their own Mental Health Offices, subject to guidelines to be provided by 
CHED and DOH.
Sec. 11. Benefits. - All mental health professionals employed in the various 
Mental Health Offices in public and private HEIs shall enjoy the rights, privileges.


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and other benefits provided in Republic Act No. 7305, otherwise known as the 
"Magna Carta of Public Health Workers", Republic Act No. 11036, otherwise known 
as the "Mental Health Act", and other pertinent laws.
Sec. 12. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the CHED shall, in coordination with the DOH, the 
Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, and other concerned 
stakeholders, issue rules and regulations to govern the hiring, training and 
deployment of guidance counselors, psychologists and other mental health service 
personnel in SUCs, and for the implementation of this Act.
Sec. 14. Suppletory Application. - The applicable provisions of Republic Act 
No. 11036, otherwise known as the "Mental Health Act", insofar as they are not 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, shall apply suppletorily.
Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected, shall remain 
in full force and effect.
Sec. 16. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary 
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly.
Sec. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,