It has a direct connection to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline.
On Monday, May 11, Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the nationwide rollout of a new vital lifeline for students, the enhanced Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline (#33733).
During the activity held in Valenzuela City, Angara demonstrated how the Department of Education’s (DepEd) two-way referral system ensures that students facing mental health crises or protection issues can get immediate professional help.
“Mahalaga sa atin ang bawat mag-aaral kaya nais nating iparamdam sa kanila na hindi sila nag-iisa at laging may handang makinig sa kanilang pinagdadaanan,” he said.
“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 Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline can be contacted via #33733 (#DEPED), 09451759777, or via email at weprotectlearners@deped.gov.ph and Viber.
DepEd’s Learner Rights and Protection (LRP) officers will provide immediate guidance and assessment, while addressing urgent issues and coordinating with relevant offices for quick solutions.
In addition to that and with support from PLDT Inc.’s contact center solutions, the helpline can now directly connect callers in need of assistance with NCMH experts for rapid crisis response.
Angara also toured the school’s Learner Support Center, a facility that combines the Guidance/Care Center, Teen Center, and Learner Rights and Protection Desk to serve as a safe space for students.
The activity in Valenzuela is part of a simultaneous nationwide rollout, with parallel activities at Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School in Iloilo City and Bulua National High School in Cagayan de Oro City.
Coinciding with his visit, Angara also observed the YAKAP and Kalinga Caravan, as well as the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), and facilitated an orientation for 40 parents on identifying and responding to bullying, and
He also welcomed 25 new members of the school’s Peer Hub, which is comprised of youth leaders, who were trained by MentorHealth Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) to provide peer-to-peer mental health support and referral assistance to their schoolmates.
According to the education department, all these comprehensive interventions are in line with the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act No. 11223) and the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act (RA 12080).
