Mental-health.docx

October 26, 2018 Mr. Leonor Magtolis Briones Department of Education 2nd floor Department of Education Building, DepEd Meralco Avenue, Pasig, 1605 Metro Manila

Dear Mr. Leonor Briones,

We, students of Far Eastern University from Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance, would like to address the issue regarding mental health of Filipino students. The growing number of Filipino students committing suicide is very alarming and must be taken seriously. What often happens in this generation is that most young adults are misunderstood but sometimes the young adults also fail to identify their problems because they lack knowledge on how to properly assess it. Not all schools in the country orient their students regarding that matter. Most students say they are depressed when in reality they don't even know what depression is. The point that we are trying to say is that mental health should be taught in schools as well. It's not only all about academics. Health is often perceived as important but saying so, it is more pertaining to physical. We are suggesting that DepEd should strongly give an attention for the mental health awareness and also to help the individuals who are experiencing mental health issues to open up instead of keeping it all inside. In schools, mental health education should be taught to help increase the emotional quotient (EQ) of students. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 20% of youth aged 14-24 years old, which is 1/5 of the global population, develop a mental health condition each year. We believe that the number of suicide incidents will decrease if the schools and parents are sensitive enough to educate their children about their mental health. But before that, since most parents are also unaware, it would also be helpful to do seminars to help them fully understood what mental health is.

Sincerely, Brian Cruz Rainer Cedro Shiera Mae Logon Carla Salalila