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Bong Go calls for interventions to combat bullying in schools

December 16, 2023 People's Journal 371 views

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his deep concern over the alarming rates of bullying in schools.

Go highlighted the importance of identifying the root causes behind a student’s behavior towards bullying.

“Dapat po ay tingnan natin nang mabuti kung anumang interventions ang gagawin ng gobyerno, ng school authorities, should address both the bully and the bullied,” said Go.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Go then emphasized the necessity of holistic government and school interventions to address both the perpetrators and victims of bullying.

“Hindi lang po ito usaping misbehavior po ng estudyante na nam-bully. At ang importante rito yung epekto po sa mental health ng na-bully. So dapat po ay tingnan nating mabuti kung anumang interventions ang gagawin ng gobyerno, ng school authorities, should address both the bully and the bullied,” said Go.

He stressed the importance of understanding the wider implications of bullying, particularly its impact on the mental health of the victims. The senator underscored the need for comprehensive interventions by both the government and school authorities to effectively address the issue.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, then expressed his belief that bullying is part of a behavioral issue but could escalate into a mental health problem in the long run. He highlighted the alarming statistics from 2021, where 404 learners committed suicide and 2,147 attempted to commit suicide.

In response, he has advocated for the integration of mental health facilities into existing Department of Health (DOH) regional hospitals nationwide.

“Kaya nga po mayroon tayong mga mental hospital at ‘yan po’y isa sa dahilan na isinulong natin na maisama sa specialty center itong mental hospital, magkakaroon po ng mga mental hospital sa mga existing DOH regional hospital all over the country.”

Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which was signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., on August 24.

Go also filed Senate Bill No. 1786, which seeks to mandate public higher education institutions (HEIs) to establish Mental Health Offices in their respective campuses. Under Go’s proposed measure, Mental Health Offices shall set up campus hotlines with dedicated and trained guidance counselors to assist with the whole HEI community, especially the students.

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