News

DepEd launches mental health hotline system for students and teachers

Posted by HiLitesASHS on

By Raphael Polintan

The Department of Education (DepEd) has launched on Monday, November 8, 2021, a hotline system for students and school personnel to provide support and assistance with mental health-related concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We prioritize the promotion and protection of the mental health and general welfare of our personnel and learners, especially amid the challenges we face due to the crisis,” said DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

The agency partnered with several organizations to provide students and teachers accessible psychological services, including Circle of Hope Community Services, The Masters Psychological Services, Hopeline PH, and The 700 Club Asia.

Listed below are the hotlines accessible nationwide:

  • Hopeline PH (24/7 Free & Anonymous Crisis Hotline): (02) 8804 4673, (+63) 917 558 4673, (+63) 918 873 4673, Globe/TM toll-free 2919
  • The 700 Club Asia (Praying & Counselling Services via Chat & Skype): Smart (+63) 949 889 8138, Sun (+63) 943 706 7633, Sun (+63) 943 145 4815, Globe (+63) 917 836 1531, 02 8737 0700, 1-800-1-1888-8700, Skype the700clubasia

A complete list of helplines for NCR, including regional hotlines for COVID-19, can be viewed through the DepEd infographic. 

“All helpline numbers will be updated every March and October of the year,” DepEd added.

In May 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that at least 3.6 million Filipinos were battling mental health issues. 

The DOH later announced in August 2021 that a quarter of Filipinos experienced moderate to severe anxiety because of the pandemic, citing a 2020 study from the University of the Philippines.

References:

Bernardo, J. (2021, November 8). DepEd launches mental health helpline for students, school personnel. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/08/21/deped-launches-mental-health-helpline

Department of Education. (2021, November 8). DepEd launches mental health helpline system for learners, teachers. Retrieved from https://www.deped.gov.ph/2021/11/08/deped-launches-mental-health-helpline-system-for-learners-teachers/

Mendoza, J. E. (2021, November 9). DepEd launches mental health hotlines for teachers, students. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1512364/deped-launches-mental-health-hotlines-for-teachers-students

The Philippine Star. (2021, November 8). Students, teachers can get mental health support through new DepEd hotline. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/11/08/2139892/students-teachers-can-get-mental-health-support-through-new-deped-helpline

Photo Source: George Calvelo, ABS-CBN