The Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to promoting mental health and wellbeing among its personnel, learners, and the entire school community. In line with Republic Act 11036, or the Mental Health Act, DepEd is encouraging offices and schools to actively participate in several upcoming observances:
Key Observances:
- World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD): September 10, 2024 (Theme: "Changing the Narrative on Suicide")
- World Mental Health Day (WMHD): October 10, 2024 (Theme: "It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace")
- National Mental Health Week (NMHW): Second week of October (Theme TBA)
How to Participate:
There are many ways schools and offices can show their support for these important observances. Here are some suggested activities:
- Flag Ceremonies and Other Events:
- Include prayers for mental health and well-being.
- Organize community singing.
- Share information about mental health hotlines.
- Encourage singing and dancing to the official mental health song (available through the provided link).
- Social Media Campaigns:
- Utilize DepEd's informative cards about the observances.
- Share these cards and messages on your social media platforms.
- Use relevant hashtags:
- General: #MentallyHealthyDepEd #OplanKalusuganSaDepEd #OksaDepEd
- WSPD: #StartTheConversation #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2024
- WMHD: #WMHD2024 #WorldMentalHealthDay
- NMHW: #NMHW2024 #NationalMentalHealthWeek
- Displaying Information Materials:
- Print and display posters and flyers related to the observances.
- Activities for Socialization:
- Encourage teachers to facilitate activities that promote positive behavior and interaction among learners during breaks.
- Ideas include giving encouraging notes, journaling prompts, and fostering random acts of kindness.
- Learning Sessions for Personnel:
- Participate in DepEd's "Wellness Wednesdays" webinar series focusing on various wellness aspects.
- Watch the live broadcasts on the Official DepEd Philippines Facebook page.
Resources and Support:
- All resources and materials mentioned above, including informative cards, mental health song, and prayer materials, are accessible at the following link:
https://bit.ly/DepEd-SMHP - Updated directory of Mental Health Support/Helplines will be available soon.
- The Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development - Employee Welfare Division (BHROD-EWD) will be conducting "Wellness Wednesdays" webinars. Details can be found in OM-OUHROD-2024-1516 and the Advisory on the Conduct of Wellness Wednesdays.
Monitoring Participation:
- Schools and DepEd offices can showcase their participation by submitting reports on conducted activities through the following channels:
- Teachers: Integrate mental health concepts into Detailed Lesson Plans (DLPs) and submit them to their respective Education Program Supervisors (EPS) for consolidation. The consolidated reports should be emailed to schoolmentalhealth@deped.gov.ph.
- Personnel: Submit reports on conducted activities through bhrod.ewd@deped.gov.ph.
- Learner Support Activities: Report these activities through existing BLSS-SHD's School Mental Health Program and/or OK sa DepEd mechanisms, as applicable.
- General Ideas and Initiatives: Share your ideas and insights related to the observances (e.g., activities to promote positive school climate) at schoolmentalhealth@deped.gov.ph
Stay Informed:
- Subsequent announcements regarding the observances will be disseminated through separate issuances or correspondences from the BLSS.
Contact Information:
For further inquiries or clarifications, please contact Jonna Feliz Roldan, Technical Assistant II of the BLSS-SHD, through email at schoolmentalhealth@deped.gov.ph or biss.shd@deped.gov.ph, or by phone at (02) 8632-1368/8633-7213.
Together, let's create a more supportive and mentally healthy environment for everyone in the DepEd community!