Iloilo: The provincial government of Iloilo is set to introduce its Program for the Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion (PRIME) to public schools, aiming to address mental health challenges and enhance resilience through psychosocial interventions, particularly concerning social media management.
According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. announced during a media conference that the program, which originated during the health pandemic to support overseas Filipino workers and Ilonggos affected by quarantine, will now expand its focus to school environments. PRIME, which already features a 24-hour mental health helpline, will cater to students and educators to combat issues such as suicide, often linked to social media influences.
Governor Defensor emphasized the urgency of addressing mental health as a national emergency, citing an average of 70 suicide cases annually. The initiative is slated for launch next week in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police, among others.
"We want to be in the schools together with national government agencies in PRIME for MorProGRess Iloilo. We want to be there to give intelligent intervention in the handling of social media," Defensor stated. MorProGRess Iloilo represents the 'Movement for a Robust, Progressive and Globally competitive, and Resilient Province of Iloilo,' aligning with the province's social justice goals.
The program seeks to reassure students that support is available for social media-related issues, recognizing the helplessness children often feel in navigating these platforms. Additionally, efforts will be made to assist parents in managing their children's social media use, though not through technical means.
In light of recent events, Defensor also mentioned that the government is considering measures to bolster school security following a tragic incident in Tacloban City.
