GUIDELINES ON
THE COUNSELING
AND REFERRAL
SYSTEM OF
LEARNERS
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (DEPED)
MEMORANDUM DM-OUCI-2021· 055
Aims to give DepEd schools the mechanism to address the needs of
learners on mental health services including counseling activities with
mental health professionals.
In response to the mental health concerns of learners as
stipulated in Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health
Law, this Memorandum institutionalizes the guidelines
and procedures that will aid public schools in addressing
the mental health concerns of Filipino learners.
COUNSELING
a well-planned, goal-oriented and short-term intervention that
aims to help learners manage and overcome issues or concerns
that hinder them to attain success. Its process aids learners to
define the problems, its sources, options, and pros and cons, which
facilitate them to decide and act appropriately.
Definition of
Terms REFERRAL
one of the guidance services where learners are facilitated to
avail other assistance or services that address their mental
health or other concerns. This requires a wide range of internal
partners (i.e. counselors, teachers, nurses, and school
administrators), external partners (i.e. government,
nongovernment agencies, organizations), and individuals in
different professions, fields and interest.
STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES IN MANAGING
SUICIDAL SITUATION WITH
LEARNERS
STEP 1
Consider and assess for risk factors for suicide. These include previous
suicide attempts, depression, alcohol or drug use problems, other mental
health conditions such as psychosis or bipolar disorder, severe emotional
distress, chronic pain or illness., experiences of trauma (e.g. sexual and
interpersonal violence, war, abuse, discrimination), recent loss (e.g.
unemployment, bereavement, relationship break-up) or financial problems.
STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES IN MANAGING
SUICIDAL SITUATION WITH
LEARNERS
STEP 2
Provide the learner with the details of mental health
professionals if possible, and maintain regular contact,
initially by making another appointment;
STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES IN MANAGING
SUICIDAL SITUATION WITH
LEARNERS
STEP 3
Activate psychosocial support by reaching out to family
or friends and community resources, and provide details
of community services including crisis lines.
STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES IN MANAGING
SUICIDAL SITUATION WITH
LEARNERS
STEP 4
If the learner has a concrete plan, including the means and the
intention to die, stay with the person, remove the means of
suicide, consult other mental health specialists, and assign a
family or staff member to stay with the person, so that they are
not left alone until further specialist support is in place.
Suggested Procedures in
handling suicide situation
Schools shall An interview When any peer, teacher, or other It is critical that any school personnel
school personnel identifies a who have knowledge of someone with
always take with the suicidal thoughts or behaviors
learner who has directly or
seriously all learners will indirectly expressed suicidal communicate this information
thoughts (ideation) or immediately and directly to a Registered
suicidal be Guidance Counselor to assess and refer
demonstrated other warning
behavior and immediately signs (i.e.: information on social the learner. The school head should also
networking websites, writings, be notified so that the learner receives
comments of conducted appropriate attention.
art, or other expression of
learners. once reported. suicidal thinking/ activities),
suicide risk will be raised.
Suggested Procedures in
handling suicide situation
Attending school personnel should stay
Call the law enforcement or security
In case of with the learner. No learner expressing
personnel if a learner possesses the suicidal thoughts should be sent home
critical or means (gun, razor, rope, pills, etc.) to alone or left alone during the
commit suicide or if the learner is not at intervention process. The Guidance
emergency school or has left the school, and a plan to
Counselor or attending school personnel
must ensure that the learner will be
situation kill oneself is discovered, or if the person endorsed to his /her parent or guardian.
is unwilling or unable to make a plan to They shall immediately seek the help of
keep themselves safe. other mental health professionals like a
psychiatrist or psychologist.
Suggested Procedures in
handling suicide situation
The following questions Hinihiling mo ba
adapted from Ask Pakiramdam mo ba na mas
ang iyong bubuti ang iyong kalagayan
Suicide-Screening
kamatayan sa mga at pamilya kung nawala ka na
Questions (ASQ) of the
nakalipas na sa mga nakalipas na linggo?
National Institute of
linggo? (Did you (Have you felt that you or
Mental Health, USA may your family would be better
be used to check the wish you were dead
off if you were dead in the
suicidal tendency of the in the past few past few weeks?)
learners: weeks?)
Suggested Procedures in
handling suicide situation
Nakakaisip ka bang Nasubukan mona
magpakamatay sa mga Nakakaisip ka bang
bang
nakalipas na linggo? magpakamatay
magpakamatay
(Have you been having ngayon? (Are you
dati? (Have you
thoughts about killing ever tried to kill having thoughts of
yourself in the past yourself?) killing yourself right
week?) now?)
Suggested Procedures in
handling suicide situation
The attending Guidance Counselor If the needed professional help is not yet
or school personnel should inform available, the Guidance Counselor and
the school head about the suicidal parent/ guardian must ensure the safety of
tendency of the learner. the learner. They shall have an arrangement
or plan on how to maintain safety at home,
designate the responsibilities of each person,
and include a review date to insure follow
through and coordinated decision-making.
REFERRAL
FORM
THE TEACHER MUST FILL-UP THE REFERRAL FORM AND
INFORM THE REGISTERED GUIDANCE COUNSELOR IN
THE SCHOOL ABOUT THE LEARNER'S CASE.
THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WILL ASSESS THE
CONDITION OF THE LEARNER AND FORMULATE THE
NEEDED INTERVENTION
IF THE LEARNER'S CASE IS BEYOND THE EXPERTISE OR CAPACITY OF
THE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR, THEN HE/SHE SHOULD BE REFER TO
ANOTHER EXPERT LIKE PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING
EMAIL
gladys.abastillas@deped.gov.ph
GLADYS L. ABASTILLAS, RGC
SHS GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
PHONE
09156208945
