Section 6Sec./Art. 6

Functions of the Mental Health and Well-Being Office. - The Office shall have the functions:

(a) Provide a general framework for the mental health and well-being programs of the schools under its jurisdiction. This framework shall encompass strategies and guidelines to promote the psychological welfare of learners within the educational system;

(b) Review, revise, and approve the mental health and well-being program submitted by schools, particularly if the head of the Care Center is not a School Counselor, to ensure that the programs are aligned with established standards and best practices in the field of mental health;

(c) Conduct periodic visits to the schools under its jurisdiction to assess the implementation of mental health and well-being programs, evaluate their effectiveness, and determine the overall mental health status of the learners;

(d) Provide technical assistance and counseling services to learners under its jurisdiction, particularly in cases where there is no designated School Counselor available. This includes offering support, guidance, and interventions to address the mental health needs of individual learners;

(e) Ensure that relevant training and capacity-building is conducted for School Counselors, School Counselor Associates, and other personnel of Care Centers, as provided in Section 12 of this Act;

(f) Maintain comprehensive records of its activities, including program approvals, school visits, training and equipping of learners and personnel, and counseling sessions;

(g) Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including educators, parents, and mental health professionals, to foster a holistic approach to mental health within educational system. This collaboration may involve joint initiatives, sharing of resources, and coordination of efforts to promote the overall well-being of learners;

(h) Conduct periodic evaluations of its own effectiveness and the impact of the implemented programs. Based on these evaluations, necessary adjustments and adaptations to the framework and activities shall be made to ensure the continuous enhancement of mental health support within the educational system; and

(i) Perform other activities within the purview of guidance and counseling deemed necessary to enhance the mental health and well-being of learners.