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School-based mental health program: Sen. Win Gatchalian submits before the Senate for ratification the bicameral conference report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2200 and House Bill No. 6574, otherwise known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act. “We have developed a landmark piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Department of Education’s existing mental health and guidance and counseling program by establishing a School-Based Mental Health Program,” Gatchalian said during Wednesday’s plenary session, September 4, 2024. “This program seeks to promote and ensure the mental health and well-being of all learners in public and private basic education schools across the country,” he added. According to Gatchalian, the cornerstone of this legislation is the establishment of a “Care Center” in every public and private basic education school. The bill aims to establish a Mental Health and Well-Being Office in every Schools Division Office, which will serve as a dedicated body to safeguard and promote the mental health and well-being of all learners and DepEd personnel under its jurisdiction. One of the primary goals of the bill is to address the shortage of registered guidance counselors in the DepEd. While there are 4,460 plantilla positions for guidance counselors in the department, only about 300 candidates graduate each year with the required master’s degree in guidance and counseling. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)