New Bill Aims to Enhance Campus Mental Health
To address the rising bullying incidents in schools, Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas is championing the Campus Mental Health Improvement Act. This bill seeks to expand access to mental health interventions and urges higher education institutions to actively support students facing bullying and mental health challenges.
Vargas filed House Bill No. 3397, which prioritizes improving universities’ and colleges’ responses to bullying. The legislation also aims to provide essential mental health treatment for students at risk of psychological disorders. The focus on the campus mental health improvement act underlines the urgency of tackling bullying beyond basic education.
Grant Program for Higher Education Institutions
Under the proposed campus mental health improvement act, universities and colleges can apply for grants dedicated to mental health initiatives. To qualify, institutions must submit detailed plans outlining the program’s target population, specific mental and behavioral health needs, and available resources. They must also describe the objectives, activities, outreach strategies, and evaluation methods of their proposed programs.
Additionally, applicants should include plans to collaborate with community mental health providers and public or private groups. When applicable, the program must address the unique mental health needs of veteran students. Crucially, grant funds must supplement existing government resources rather than replace them.
Purpose and Use of Grant Funds
The campus mental health improvement act specifies that grants should be used to provide a wide range of mental health services. These include prevention, early intervention, treatment, management, and education related to mental and behavioral health. Outreach efforts to inform students about available services are also emphasized.
Furthermore, the bill encourages educating families, peers, faculty, and communities to raise awareness about mental health issues. It supports student groups that promote mental wellness and reduce stigma. Employing qualified staff and expanding training programs such as internships and residencies are integral components. The legislation also highlights the importance of culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches, along with sharing best practices among educational institutions.
Oversight and Implementation
The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chairperson will oversee the grant approval process. This role includes determining which applicants will receive competitive grants to boost mental and behavioral health services on college campuses. Officials noted that this oversight ensures targeted and effective use of resources under the campus mental health improvement act.
Addressing Bullying Beyond Basic Education
Vargas explained that the bill focuses on tertiary students because most current interventions target basic education levels. However, bullying persists in colleges, often affecting students who carry trauma from earlier years. “Most policies zero-in on children in basic education. But many of those learners eventually move on to college still carrying the scars of bullying. This is where policy should step in—at a stage when pressures are heavier and support is thinner,” he said.
He further emphasized, “Bullying victims do not simply outgrow their trauma once they graduate from high school. That’s why our laws need to catch up—so every student, at whatever stage of learning, has access to the care they need.”
Bullying Statistics Highlight Urgent Need
Data from the Department of Education reveal thousands of bullying incidents annually, ranging from physical attacks to cyberbullying. In the 2021–2022 school year alone, 404 student suicides and 2,147 suicide attempts were reported. These alarming figures underscore the crucial need for effective mental health services in schools.
Community members noted that in June, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III urged parents and students to report bullying through hotline 911. He stressed the seriousness of bullying as the new school year approached, with police closely monitoring the issue.
Investing in Mental Health for a Stronger Future
Vargas highlighted that supporting students’ mental health is an investment in the nation’s future workforce. “Healthy, resilient college students grow into stronger professionals and citizens,” he remarked. By improving mental health services through the campus mental health improvement act, the country can nurture a more robust and capable generation.
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