EDITORIAL - Silent killer

Four years ago on Jan. 22, the government released the implementing rules and regulations for Republic Act 11036, the Mental Health Act that went into effect in July 2018. While RA 11036 enhanced services and state resources for addressing mental health issues, these were not enough to deal with the surge in such problems that arose after COVID-19 struck.

Among the worst affected were minors, who were locked down at home and compelled to continue formal education remotely. At least a million students were forced to stop schooling, many because of economic difficulties brought by the pandemic and their inability to cope with the blended learning mode.

Organizations dealing with child abuse, domestic violence and exploitation also reported a spike in such cases as children were locked down at home with their adult oppressors – often their own parents or guardians. Throughout the lockdowns, mental health professionals and civic groups providing mental health counseling reported surges in calls for help on their hotlines.

The easing of pandemic restrictions beginning in 2021 did not end the mental health problems. As reported to the Senate by the Department of Education yesterday, 404 students in public schools committed suicide in 2021, while 2,147 suicide attempts were recorded. At least 775,962 learners sought guidance counseling, the DepEd reported. That’s 2.85 percent of a student population of 28 million. DepEd officials believe the actual numbers can be higher and will continue to grow.

The underreporting is blamed partly on an acute lack of guidance counselors in schools and mental health professionals in general all over the country. The DepEd reported that for 60,157 public schools nationwide, there are only 16,557 guidance officers and 2,093 registered guidance counselors. This translates to a ratio of one counselor for every 13,394 students – way beyond the ideal ratio of one per 250, according to DepEd. At least 4,389 more counselors are needed.

Filipinos have long downplayed mental health problems and their impact on a person’s physical and overall wellbeing. The country has a glaring lack of psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals.

DepEd officials noted that after the pandemic lockdowns, the transition from blended learning to in-person classes also created new pressures on students. But there are no programs specifically designed to promote mental health for any age group. Bullying has been a serious problem in schools even before the pandemic, with social media facilitating the abuse, and DepEd officials believe bullying cases are also underreported.

Minors have shown strong natural resistance to COVID-19. They are more vulnerable to mental distress, which can prove to be a silent killer if left unchecked. This is a problem that calls for greater national attention, way beyond what the law provides.