CH ramps up student mental health drive

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is intensifying its mental health initiatives after Project MIND (Mental Health Intelligence Network and Database) revealed disturbing trends among local learners.

Councilor Michelle Abella-Cellona earlier disclosed that 83 of 99 students screened reported experiencing bullying, 35.4 percent showed signs of depression, and 33.3 percent admitted to thoughts of self-harm.

“Pain does not wait for paperwork o budget cycles. We cannot wait for a crisis to happen before we take action,” Abella-Cellona said.

Mayor Nestor Archival stressed the city’s commitment to protecting young people.

“Mental health is an important part of the health and well-being of every Cebuano. Atong mga kabatan-onan kinahanglan makabalo nga naa mi para maminaw, mosabot, mosuporta, ug motabang. Hinaot nga makahimo ta og environment diin mas komportable sila nga mosulti ug mangayo og tabang, ug makabalo nga dili sila nag-inusara,” Archival said.

Project MIND has been piloted in schools such as Abellana National High School, Gothong National High School, and Tisa II Elementary School, combining research data gathering with psychosocial support sessions.

Abella-Cellona emphasized the importance of listening.

“Usahay, dili man gyud kinahanglan nga naa dayon tay tubag. Usahay, kinahanglan lang sila og tawo nga maminaw, mosabot, ug dili mo-judge,” she added.

Parents were also engaged, with Abella-Cellona reminding them that “One conversation, one listening ear, and one timely intervention can make a difference.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 3,379 suicide deaths in 2024, up from 3,133 in 2023.

The World Health Organization Global School-based Student Health Survey found that 21.7 percent of Filipino adolescents reported suicide ideation and 27.3 percent attempted suicide between 2015 and 2024, while 30.2 percent experienced bullying.

Despite an estimated 12.5 million Filipinos living with mental health conditions, the country has fewer than 2,000 mental health workers.

Cebu City is pushing to hire more registered psychometricians and psychologists, strengthen barangay behavioral health desks, and institutionalize the Cebu City Mental Health Council.

The Philippines passed its Mental Health Law in 2018 and adopted a national mental health plan in 2023, but WHO notes that suicide prevention strategies remain fragmented and underfunded, with government mental health expenditure at only P41.5 per capita (2.3 percent of total health spending).

Project MIND’s findings have pushed Cebu City into action, with leaders stressing that prevention must come before tragedy.

“Let us choose compassion before judgment, intervention before crisis, and prevention before tragedy,” Abella-Cellona said.