Mental health hotline launched for students

MANILA, Philippines — Students experiencing mental health problems can now receive immediate intervention through the hotline #33733, the Department of Education (DepEd) and National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) announced.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara yesterday led the launch of the enhanced Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (#33733) at General Tiburcio de Leon National High School in Valenzuela City.

The upgraded helpline now provides a direct connection to the NCMH Crisis Hotline to ensure faster professional intervention for learners facing mental health concerns and protection issues.

During the launch, Angara demonstrated DepEd’s two-way referral system, which allows learners in crisis to receive immediate assistance and appropriate professional support.

The Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline may be reached through #33733 (#DEPED), 0945-175-9777, email weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph and Viber.

With the support of PLDT contact center solutions, distressed callers may now be instantly connected to NCMH specialists for expert crisis response.

“Under the leadership of President Marcos, every learner is important and we want them to feel that they are not alone, that there is someone always ready to listen to what they are going through,” said Angara.

The launch formed part of a simultaneous nationwide rollout, with parallel activities held at Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School in Iloilo City and Bulua National High School in Cagayan de Oro City.

DepEd’s Learner Rights and Protection officers are tasked to provide immediate guidance and assessment while coordinating with appropriate offices to address urgent concerns.

During his visit to the school, Angara also toured the Learner Support Center, which integrates Guidance and Care Centers, Teen Centers and Learner Rights and Protection Desks to create a unified safe space for students.

He also visited the YAKAP at Kalinga Caravan, a joint initiative with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. that provided free medical, dental and vision screenings, as well as psychosocial support and mental health activities, to around 200 learners, teachers and parents.

In line with efforts to strengthen peer support systems, Angara welcomed 25 new members of the school’s Peer Hub, composed of youth leaders trained by MentorHealth Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University to provide peer-to-peer mental health support and referral assistance to fellow students.

The education chief likewise observed an evidence-based orientation supported by Ateneo for 40 parents on identifying and responding to bullying to help them better support their children and access school support channels.

Angara later visited the school’s kitchen to observe the school-based feeding program, where hot meals are prepared by the school parent-teacher association for participants in the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning summer remediation program.

These interventions align with the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act 11223) and the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act (RA 12080), which Angara co-authored and championed during his time in the Senate.