Schools urged to use MAPEH to promote mental health wellness

The study also found an increasing trend of youth suicide attempts which rose to 17 percent last year from 12.9 percent in 2015. (File Photo: Emily Underworld/Unsplash)

MANILA – The National Youth Commission (NYC) on Thursday urged schools to intensify its Music, Arts, and Physical Education (MAPEH) subjects and integrate physical activities in its academic instruction to promote mental health wellness.

NYC Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer Leah Villalon made this remark as the country observes National Students’ Day which amplifies the valuable contribution and collective manifestation of learners around the country to achieve positive change.

She said integrating physical activities in face-to-face classes will not only help students focus better, but also develop social skills necessary to relieve feelings of anxiety and depression.

“Gusto natin palakasin ang (We want to strengthen our) MAPEH subjects, especially in the age of digital learning,” Villalon said during the Pandesal forum at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City.

Citing a 2021 National Youth Assessment Study, she said 31 percent of youth respondents aged 15 to 30 years old have experienced taking their own lives.

The study also found an increasing trend of youth suicide attempts which rose to 17 percent last year from 12.9 percent in 2015.

She said the Covid-19 pandemic also took a toll on the mental health of the youth as 34 percent of respondents said they did not have the means to participate in online learning, 44 percent said they were not learning enough, and 46.9 percent said their motivation for learning declined.

“We want to zero in on the importance of mental health among the students. While a student’s life has become a constant struggle peppered with concerns about academic performance, relationship matters, and a host of personal challenges, there remains that valuable contribution and collective manifestation to achieve positive change. We at the National Youth Commission also believe that positive changes may be achieved through upscaling a higher sense of social responsibility, acceptance, and respect of differences,” she said.

F2F classes

Villalon said parents and guardians must encourage their children to attend in-person classes to give them an opportunity to connect with their peers and teachers.

“We would want to encourage face-to-face [classes] dahil yung two years na ‘yun na gap sa ating mga estudyante, ang laki ng epekto sa youth (because two-year gap had a huge impact to our youth),” she said.

However, she said they must also be considerate in motivating their students to show up in class after getting used to online learning.

“We really need to support and encourage our students na pumasok at mag-aral (to attend class] [in a positive manner]. Syempre ayaw natin sila takutin, huwag naman ganun (We don’t want to scare them, we should not do that),” she said.

Earlier, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued Memorandum Order No. 16 ordering colleges and universities to implement full in-person classes or hybrid learning beginning the second semester of the academic year 2022-2023.

“Unless there is an approval from the Commission on Higher Education, an HEI cannot offer its recognized degree programs in full distance learning delivery including online modality,” the CHED said in its order.

Villalon likewise encouraged students to avail of their schools’ mental health services such as talking to guidance counselors.

She said schools must also inform students of ways to reach organizations that offer counseling and psychiatric consultation resources.

National Students’ Day is observed every Nov. 17 pursuant to Republic Act No. 1369.

This year’s celebration, which goes by the theme #StudentMentalHealthMatters”, will be a whole-day event featuring panel discussions and youth advocacy for mental health.