The local government of Valenzuela launched a school-based mental health program on Monday, August 24, aimed at bringing professional psychological and wellness support directly to student populations.
Spearheaded by Mayor Wes Gatchalian, the PANATAG Mental Health Program was introduced at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) in partnership with Mindscapes by PhilCare. The initiative provides comprehensive wellness services, including psychological consultations, dietetic and social worker support, baseline mental health evaluations, and 24/7 digital chat and helpline assistance.
Notably, coverage extends beyond students to include their direct dependents and family members.
To operationalize the service, dedicated PANATAG Mental Health Hubs will be established on the campuses of PLV and the Valenzuela Technological College (ValTech). Enrolled students can access the support network by registering through their official institutional email accounts.
Reflecting on the program’s core objective, Gatchalian highlighted the imperative of building an accessible safety net for the youth.
“Hindi natin maibabalik ang mga buhay na nawala. Pero maaari nating tiyakin na sa susunod na kabataang magsasabing, ‘Hindi na ako okay,’ may makikinig. May tutulong. May masasandalan,” Gatchalian stated.
The mayor emphasized that the city is taking concrete action to move beyond basic assurances by establishing sustainable, institutionalized local support structures.
“Kailangan nating tiyaking may tunay silang malalapitan. Kaya sa Valenzuela City, inilunsad natin ang kauna-unahang LGU-supported, school-based mental health program sa Pilipinas, na sisimulan natin sa Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela at ValTech,” he added.
According to city officials, the PANATAG program prioritizes strict data privacy protocols and low-barrier entry to destigmatize mental health care and encourage early intervention among students.