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October 14, 2021 – The Department of Education (DepEd) started conducting various virtual initiatives and activities in celebration of the 2021 National Mental Health Week that will run from October 11 up to 16, 2021.

“The Department wants to ensure that the mental health of our personnel and learners are being taken care of. While we have consistently conducted Mental Health and Psychosocial Services for our stakeholders during this pandemic, we recognize that looking out for everyone’s mental state is a continuous process,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

With the theme “Mental Health Care for All: Let’s Make it a Reality,” the agency encouraged the field offices to participate in the Central Office-based events and conduct localized programs supporting the celebration.

Throughout the week, the Department began releasing series of DepEd Mental Health Care Videos to amplify the messaging and purpose of the celebration’s theme.

Furthermore, DepEd published social media content series featuring the mental health journey of selected DepEd Personnel during this pandemic through Kwento ng Katatagan from October 11 onwards. Interested DepEd personnel can submit their stories and experiences through https://bit.ly/DepEdKatatagan.

The agency will likewise conduct Coordinators’ Meeting on the Implementation of the School Mental Health Program on October 14, while the official closing program of the Mental Health Week will happen on October 15.

Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua urged the personnel to celebrate World Mental Health Day on October 10 with their families to strengthen the ties among their relatives as most of the employees are on a work-from-home setup.

“As the 2021 World Mental Health Day falls on a Sunday, it is best celebrated through rest and spending quality time with family and loved ones,” Undersecretary Pascua said.

“We also hope that our field offices will focus on taking care of the mental health of their personnel because the difficulties brought by the health crisis in mentally exhausting, especially for the teachers,” he added.

Through their respective School Mental Health Program Coordinators, the field offices are also enjoined to conduct webinars, online conversations and consultations, or virtual training. Mental health breaks are encouraged in conducting these activities.

The said celebration is according to Presidential Proclamation No. 452, s. 1994, titled declaring the Second Week of October of Every Year as National Mental Health Week.

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