DepEd Rolls Out Mental Health Helpline For Students—Here's What You Need To Know

The Philippines is stepping up to create a safer space for students, especially in supporting their mental health needs. Recently, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) launched the enhanced Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline nationwide. 

The launch commenced at the General T. de Leon National High School in Valenzuela City where DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara explained how it will work. 

The enhanced Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline features a "two-way referral system" where students may seek help, either by calling #33733 (#DEPED) or 09451759777 or via e-mail at weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph. They are also available on Viber. 

Students will be assisted by DepEd’s Learner Rights and Protection (LRP) officers who will provide assessment during the initial call. In cases of mental health distress, crisis response, and intervention, LRP officers will directly connect them to specialists at the NCMH Crisis Hotline without having to make a separate call.

"Sa pag-uugnay ng ating #33733 Helpline sa mga dalubhasa mula sa NCMH, inilalapit natin ang kalinga at de-kalidad na healthcare sa bawat mag-aaral—dahil sa bawat tawag, tinitiyak natin na may katuwang sila tungo sa paggaling, kaligtasan, at panatag na kaisipan," the Education Secretary said in a statement. 

"Pinalalakas natin ang suporta para sa ating mga mag-aaral, lalo na sa mga panahong kailangan nila ng makakausap, makikinig, at makakaagapay," he expressed. 

The enhanced Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline will allow students to seek immediate mental health guidance and assessments, while also providing a safer channel to report abuse, violence, and bullying incidents within educational institutions. 

Bullying has long remained a pressing issue in the Philippines. According to Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2018, the country recorded the highest incidence of bullying among all participating countries. Further data from DepEd revealed that more than 79,000 bullying cases were recorded nationwide from 2019 to 2022, highlighting the urgent need for stronger intervention, mental health support, and student protection mechanisms in schools.

1,314 reports received through the DepEd's helpline between November 2022 and April 2025 were related to campus violence, including cases of physical bullying and cyberbullying.

If you or someone you know needs help, the NCMH can be reached through its 24/7 crisis hotline at 1553 or 1800-1888-1553.

• SMART/TNT users may contact 0919-057-1553

• Globe/TM subscribers may reach the NCMH through 0917-899-8727.

If you feel that you need help and advice for yourself or anyone else, please contact The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline, a 24/7 confidential services hotline for psychiatric emergencies, suicidal thoughts, depression, and other issues at (02) 7989-8727 or (0917) 899-8727 (or 0917 899-USAP). You can also reach out to Hopeline, a 24/7 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention hotline in the Philippines, by calling (02) 8804-4673, (0917) 558-4673 (Globe), or (0918) 873-4673 (Smart). Here is a more complete list of hotlines you can reach out to for further assistance.