Psychologists Urge Stronger School Mental Health Systems

MANILA, Philippines — The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) on Monday urged schools, families, communities, and policymakers to adopt a coordinated and long-term approach to prevent school violence, noting that safety in educational institutions cannot be achieved through isolated measures alone. In a statement released following the school shooting in Tacloban City and the subsequent incidents of school violence and crimes involving minors, PAP called for stronger school mental health systems, increased access to qualified mental health professionals, and collaborative efforts among institutions involved in child welfare and protection. “Preventing school violence is therefore not the responsibility of schools alone. It requires sustained collaboration across the relationships, environments, and systems that shape children’s and adolescents’ lives,” said PAP, the national professional organization representing psychologists and other members of the psychology profession in the country. “A shared and comprehensive approach strengthens protection, responds to concerns early, coordinates support when needs become more significant, and creates environments in which young people can experience safety,” it added. According to PAP, schools should strengthen comprehensive mental health systems that go beyond crisis response and include prevention, early intervention, and access to specialized care. It also recommended promoting psychologically safe and inclusive learning environments, mental health literacy, social-emotional learning, anti-bullying initiatives, and programs that encourage students to seek help when needed. READ: Docs’ prescription: Keep kids off social media For students showing early signs of emotional, behavioral, or interpersonal difficulties, schools should provide counseling, mentoring, and skills-based interventions before concerns escalate, PAP said. It added that students facing more serious psychological distress may require multidisciplinary support that includes assessments, treatment, family interventions, and referrals to specialized services. The group also underscored the need for educational institutions to employ qualified professionals, including guidance counselors, psychologists, social workers, and child protection specialists, to ensure that students receive sustained and timely support. According to PAP, schools should avoid offering assistance only after problems become severe and instead establish systems capable of identifying and addressing concerns at an earlier stage. READ: Gov’t, civil society groups split on reviewing juvenile justice law Beyond the school setting, the organization called for stronger partnerships among schools, families, communities, mental health professionals, and child protection agencies. It also urged adults — including parents, educators, leaders, and public figures — to model empathy, nonviolence, respectful communication, and healthy ways of resolving conflict. PAP also recommended promoting responsible digital citizenship, media literacy, and safe online engagement among young people, alongside responsible firearm ownership and secure firearm storage practices in households with children and adolescents. It said public reactions to incidents involving children and adolescents should remain guided by scientific evidence rather than speculation or simplistic explanations. “Accountability, healing, rehabilitation, and prevention are not competing goals, but complementary parts of a comprehensive response to school violence,” PAP added. /cb