Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill Noe

Introduced by Representative FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that “(t)he State recognizes the vital
role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being.

However, young people of today are hounded by a crisis involving their mental health. They
easily fall into mental depression after a breakup or school-related issue. Elementary school
children immediately contemplate committing suicide after being scolded by their parents. Due
to disregarded mental health issues, more and more youth Filipino turn to substance abuse and
suicide. Suicide cases among the young population are on the rise. According to the WHO,
from 2000 to 2016, the suicide rate among Filipino males rose from 4.5 to 5.2. During the
same period, the suicide rate among Filipino females increased from 1.8 to 2.3.

There is indeed a mental crisis going on.

There is therefore a need for parents, the government, our schools, private institutions and other
stakeholders to band together to address this crisis hounding the very future of our nation.

While there are days and weeks marking mental health, there is none to raise awareness on the
mental state of our youth. This bills seeks to declare the last week of August as National Youth
Mental Health Week not only to recognize the growing mental health issues affecting our youth
but also to address their problems and concerns.

This bill will provide a forum for today’s youth to air their concerns and grievances to enable
all stakeholders to provide solutions and support through multi-sectoral partnerships.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is urged.

FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 6540

Introduced by Representative FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBES

AN ACT
DECLARING THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST AS NATIONAL YOUTH MENTAL
HEALTH WEEK AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be in 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 “National Youth Mental Health
Awareness Week”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and
social well-being. The State is also committed to uphold the mental well-being of the youth
and shall ensure that they realize the fullness of their dreams and capabilities. In declaring the
last week of August of every year as the National Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, the
State is performing its mandate and commitment to safeguard their total well-being by making
sure that all issues affecting their mental health are recognized and addressed.

SECTION 3. National Youth Mental Health Awareness Week. — The last week of August
is hereby declared as “National Youth Mental Health Awareness Week”.

SECTION 4. Program of Activities. - To ensure a meaningful and valuable observance of
the National Youth Mental Health Awareness Week, the National Youth Commission, in
coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH),
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), Philippine National Police


‘

(PNP) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), together with youth organizations and youth-serving
organizations shall implement an annual program of activities.

All schools, colleges, and universities shall conduct activities in celebration of the National
Youth Mental Health Awareness Week.

Private companies and organizations are enjoined to launch activities that will promote
Youth and Family Wellness Programs, Healthy Lifestyle, Open Communication projects,
among others.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). ~ To implement provisions of
this Act, the NYC, in coordination with the DepEd, DOH, DSWD, CHED, TESDA, NUSP,
PNP and SK, and other stakeholders shall promulgate the rules and regulations within ninety
(00) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause.— If any part or provision of the Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other Provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, rules and regulation inconsistent with
the provision of this Act hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. - This shall take effect after fifteen (1/5) days from its publication in
two (2) national newspaper of the general circulation.

Approved.