ABSTRACT
This study determined the personal experiences contributory to mental health and social problems of Grade 9 learners focused on guidance services in public secondary schools as basis for the preparation of contextualized counseling module to enhance guidance services. The study was conducted in the School Year 2025-2026, utilizing the descriptive method using survey questionnaire. The respondents of the study were twenty (20) designated counselors, three hundred thirty (330) Grade 9 learners and five (5) jurors for a total of three hundred fifty-five (355) respondents.
The raw data were statistically treated using frequency count, percentage technique weighted mean, mathematics mean, stratified sampling and f-test analysis of variance. Findings and conclusions revealed that the extent of personal experiences encountered by the Grade 9 learners that contribute to mental health along disturbances in stress impairment was the highest contributory factor among the variables and the lowest was disturbances in behavior. There was no significant difference in the extent of personal experiences encountered by Grade 9 learners that contribute to mental health among the variables. Extents of personal experiences encountered by Grade 9 learners that contribute to social problems along peer relationships was the highest contributory factor among the variables while the lowest was family dynamics. There was no significant difference in the extent of personal experiences encountered by the Grade 9 learners that contribute to social problems among the variables. The guidance services extended to Grade 9 learners with mental health and social problems was on Knowing where the school’s guidance office is located as the highest guidance services while the least guidance services was visiting the guidance office when support was needed. The contextualized guidance module for Grade 9 learners was developed. The acceptability of the prepared contextualized counseling module for Grade 9 learners as evaluated by jurors was strongly acceptable.
Based on the findings and conclusions drawn, this study recommends that the guidance counselors should have more training/seminars and provide more counseling guidance modules. Create a safe and confidential space for the learners and ensure that both the counselor and the learners are clear about the goals and expectations of the session. Incorporate evidence-based strategies and interventions that can promote healing and personal growth. Provide a coherent plan for focusing treatment interventions and increase the likelihood of achieving treatment goals; Indicate a set of specific skills that should be the focus of deliberate practice; Create a contextualized counseling module that is effective, evidence-based, and tailored to the needs of both the learners and the counselor; Provide interventions to individual needs and foster resilience that will empower learners to achieve their personal goals.
INTRODUCTION
Adolescence is a pivotal and transformative stage marked by rapid physical, emotional, and social development. Grade 9 learners, in particular, are more susceptible to challenges in academic performance, peer relationships, family dynamics, and identity formation. These developmental stressors often result in mental health and social concerns such as anxiety, depression, isolation, and behavioral issues.
Republic Act No. 11036 known as Mental Health Act is an act establishing a national mental health policy for the purpose of enhancing the delivery of integrated mental health services, promoting and protecting the rights of persons utilizing psycho-social health services, appropriating funds therefor and other purposes
DepEd Memorandum No. 074, s. 2021 on Inclusion and Promotion of Mental Health in All DepEd Events and Programs refers to the rising number of cases and presence of community transmissions which have not only hampered physical classes, but have also brought about mental and psychological distress to the learners and personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) and stakeholders. This provision for mental health and psychological support services (MHPSS) aim to improve and strengthen the mental resilience of all learners and DepEd personnel.
This study determined the mental health and social problems of Grade 9 learners focused on guidance services in public secondary schools. This serves as basis for the preparation of contextualized counseling module to enhance guidance services. Hence, this study may ensure that these services are not only available but are meaningfully aligned with the needs of students, thus promoting their holistic development and overall well-being.
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