TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 jUL-7 fflQ;C6
S. No.
SENATE
176
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong"T. Go
AN ACT
MANDATING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR 
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Recent studies and reports have shown a concerning rise in cases of 
depression, anxiety, stress, and even suicide among students enrolled in State 
Universities and Colleges (SUCs). These mental health issues are often intensified by 
academic pressure, economic hardship, family problems, social isolation, and the 
lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the passage of Republic Act No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental 
Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, marked a milestone in promoting mental health 
awareness in basic education, there remains a significant gap, particularly for the 
population of the youth in tertiary education who need the same psychological
intervention.
Strengthening mental health services in SUCs will ensure that students are not 
only academically supported but also emotionally and psychologically equipped to face 
the demands of higher education and life beyond graduation. This initiative will also 
help destigmatize mental health issues, encourage help-seeking behavior, and foster 
safe and nurturing academic environments.


This proposed measure mandates all State Universities and Colleges to 
establish, enhance, and institutionalize mental health services and programs that are 
accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of students. This includes the hiring 
of qualified mental health professionals, creation of campus-based wellness centers, 
implementation of preventive education programs, and integration of mental health 
policies into the university and colleges system.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LA RENCE "BONG" T. GO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 JUL -7 AlO :G6
S. No.
SENATE
176
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
MANDATING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES 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 "State Universities and 
Colleges (SUCs) Mental Health Service Act of 2025."
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, the State shall institute policies to promote the mental health and wellness of 
students, faculty, teaching and non-teaching staff, and other personnel in State 
Universities and Colleges.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) 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 
is competent to perform guidance and counseling, career guidance and implement 
mental health programs;
(b) 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;


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(c) 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;
(d) 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;
(e) 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
(f) SUCs-based mental health service personnel refers to any mental health 
professional who is hired or deployed by, or has a contract with an SUC to render 
mental health services in its campus.
Sec. 4. Establishment of Mental Health Offices in All SUCs Campuses. - The 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall, 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, require all SUCs to 
establish a Mental Health Office in all their campuses.
The Mental Health Offices shall set up campus hotlines with dedicated and 
trained guidance counselors to provide assistance to the whole SUC 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 SUCs. - The CHED and the SUCs, through 
their Mental Health Offices, 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 
SUC community, especially the students, is aware of in-campus mental health services.
The SUCs, 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 the SUCs, 
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).


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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 SUCs.
The SUCs-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 SUCs community, especially the students.
Sec. 7. Hiring, Training and Deployment of Mental Health Professionals. - 
Subject to the guidelines set by the CHED and the SUCs, CSC and DBM, the SUCs shall 
hire, train and deploy mental health professionals, including psychologists, to the 
Mental Health Office to ensure that each SUC shall have mental health professionals 
or mental health service providers.
The SUCs shall, in coordination with the CHED, prepare the appropriate plantilla 
positions to be submitted to the DBM for evaluation and approval for the additional 
SUC-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", SUCs 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 SUC, 
secure the appropriate license to practice as a mental health professional and meet 
the relevant qualification requirements of their position.
The CHED and the SUCs, through the Mental Health Offices, shall formulate a 
scheme for the continuous training of mental health service personnel, 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-


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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 SUCs 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 SUC may hire qualified professionals on a contractual or 
part-time basis, subject to the evaluation and approval of the DBM.
Sec. 10. Benefits. - All mental health professionals employed in the various 
Mental Health Offices shall enjoy the rights, privileges, 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. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of 
this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 12. 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.


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Sec. 13. 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. 14. 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. 15. 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. 16. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,