Integration of mental health support in Cebu City schools under discussion

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City has taken a step toward addressing the growing mental health needs of students by convening a wide-ranging consultation at City Hall’s legislative building.

The meeting, led by Councilor Michelle Abella-Cellona, brought together educators, mental health professionals, government agencies, and community partners to craft a comprehensive framework that integrates school safety with mental health support.

Mayor Nestor Archival also stressed the urgency of prioritizing mental well-being alongside physical safety.

“Promoting mental health in schools requires a collaborative effort among the local government, educational institutions, parents, and community partners to ensure that every learner has access to the support they need,” Archival said, emphasizing that the city’s initiatives must be proactive rather than reactive.

The consultation focused on developing a localized School Safety and Mental Health Manual, which will unify existing child protection policies, anti-bullying procedures, referral pathways, and crisis response mechanisms.

Stakeholders also discussed the establishment of a citywide referral system to connect schools with accredited mental health professionals, supported by a directory of service providers and standardized referral procedures to ensure timely interventions.

Abella-Cellona highlighted the importance of data-driven policymaking, proposing the creation of an anonymized mental health and school safety database to monitor trends and guide future programs.

Training and capacity-building for teachers, guidance counselors, and school staff were also prioritized, with modules on psychological first aid, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, and early identification of at-risk students.

Coordination with the Department of Education for service credits was recommended to encourage participation.

Preventive measures were also on the agenda, including regular mental health check-ins, screenings, digital citizenship campaigns, and stronger parental involvement.

The group explored partnerships with universities, professional organizations, and private sector partners through an Adopt-a-School Program aimed at expanding technical assistance and mental health services.

Abella-Cellona is also pushing for the creation of a Cebu City Mental Health Council through a proposed ordinance.

This body would oversee the drafting and implementation of the Cebu City School Safety and Mental Health Framework, which will be refined through further consultations and strategic workshops.

The city’s heightened focus on mental health in schools comes amid growing national concerns over student welfare, following recent incidents of violence and rising reports of anxiety, depression, and cyber-related issues among youth.