The Official English Publication of Santa Cruz National High School Volume 51 Issue 1 August 2023 - May 2024
Cyberbullying via NGL app plagues school
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SCNHS’ BKD leads ‘Among BALAI’ project to tackle drug, mental issues
SCNHS eyes measures to combat cyberbullying
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TW: Mention of suicide survey news
Amongst students’ mixed views on parental and academic support,
Based from Davao Region, YAFS 2021 survey, from ages 15-24
School plans strategies to bridge support gap
15.9% Ever thought of commiting suicide
6.5% Ever tried to commit suicide
ALISSANDRA MUNDOC
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recent survey by The Nautilus on academic and parental assistance revealed interesting findings from responses of Grades 7 to 12 students at Santa Cruz National High School (SCNHS), offering insights into the perceived effectiveness of support mechanisms throughout their educational experience.
Reach Out. SCNHS Guidance designate, Victoria Cordero counsels a mentally struggling senior high school student amidst the growing concern on mental health problems at Santa Cruz NHS, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, February 13, 2024. Photo by Richard Ynayan Jr.
Forty percent of the students in ninth- grade reported feeling a lack of support, while 60% felt suitably supported academically and by their parents. Tenth-graders mirrored ninth-graders sentiments, with 40% feeling a deficit in support and 60% feeling adequately supported. Eleventh-graders displayed a more outlook, with 50% reporting that they felt a lack of support, while the remaining 50% indicated satisfaction with the support they received. continue on page 2
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Out of the seventhgrade students surveyed, 70% expressed a sense of insufficiency in academic and parental backing, and 30% indicated satisfaction with the support they received in both educational and parental aspects. The eighth-grade students’ responses differed from those of the seventh-graders. Only 20% of eighth graders felt they lacked support, while the majority, comprising 80%, believed they received adequate academic and parental assistance.
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In an interview concerning the recent suicide incident, the head teacher stressed that the school has always been active in providing aid to students whenever they need emotional and mental support. Matillano also outlined the school’s proactive steps to address mental health concerns, including plans to organize mental health awareness programs featuring guest speakers.
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Additionally, Charry Mhe Cole, Nurse II at the Municipal Health Office (MHO), emphasized that their office provides students with forms to articulate their concerns. The MHO team deliberates on these issues to devise programs for enhancement and resolution. Cole also disclosed concerning statistics from the 2021 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study conducted in the Davao Region, revealing that out of the 0.9 million youth aged 15-24 in the region, 15.9% reported having contemplated suicide, with 6.5% having attempted it. Meanwhile, the victim’s sister pleaded for understanding and
DepEd Attorney pushes competition rights for students FIONA LORICO
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“It somehow made me lose my confidence. It tormented and caused me mental distress. It affected my emotional health,” Dondoyano expressed. The victim also explained that despite widespread efforts, bullying persists as a significant issue in educational settings, prompting a call for heightened Wregarding the impact of words. Moreover, SCNHS’ Guidance Counselor, Victoria Cordero, disclosed two mental health reports last school year and three this school year, indicating a rise in cases.
“We conducted interviews, engaged parents and guardians, and advised them to seek professional help for their children since we, as school staff, cannot perform the duties of psychologists or psychiatrists,” Cordero stated.
FIONA LORICO “This school needs to learn mental health awareness and stress management; soon, they will be conducting a program with a speaker to address some of the young students about mental health issues and awareness,” the head teacher affirmed.
The incident unfolded when Angelica Dondoyano, a 15-year-old student at SCNHS, became the target of relentless cyberbullying on a social media app called NGL, wherein hurtful comments flooded Dondoyano’s online accounts, causing profound emotional distress.
The guidance counselor also outlined the school’s interventions, including interviews with parents and guardians, and recommending professional help for their children.
Student death sparks concern, school enacts mental support anta Cruz National High School’s (SCNHS) Head Teacher III Marissa Matillano addressed the “tragic” loss of an eight-grade student who commited suicide, saying that the school “swiftly implemented measures” to provide psychological aid and counseling interviews to the victim’s peers and her advisor.
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ollowing a cyberbullying incident that has deeply affected the school community, Santa Cruz National High School (SCNHS) is ramping up efforts to combat online harassment and address the concerning increase in student mental health reports.
openness when it comes to supporting teenagers grappling with mental health challenges. “Let us be more understanding nowadays, especially to parents out there with teenage children. Let’s be open to them so they can feel, ‘Ah, I know I can trust my parents because I know they could understand and love me,” she urged. Furthermore, the sister’s message toward educators sheds light on the need for a compassionate and adaptable approach in the classroom, recognizing that not all students possess the same academic strengths.
Furthermore, Cordero noted that the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Santa Cruz provides a mental health program offering free medication for patients. Meanwhile, in a survey by The Nautilus on student experiences with online harassment, 83.86% reported being targeted on social media.
83.86%
Students who experienced cyberbullying
She also called for teachers to offer personalized support and guidance, emphasizing the importance of sensitivity in their interactions. “Educators must be mindful of their wordings, not saying that let’s baby talk to them, rather be gentle. Humanity is the key,” the sister stated.
epartment of Education (DepEd) Attorney III, Atty. Maruli Ali G. Sanchez emphasized that every student, irrespective of their program or school, should have the opportunity to participate in competitions, following a question raised by a student from Sta. Cruz National High School (SCNHS) regarding Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) students being prohibited from participating in schools press conferences at the
Illustration by EVER OCARIZA
Division Learner’s Convergence on May 2, 2024. During Atty. Sanchez’s talk about Child Rights in the Education Sector at Sinayawan Elementary School, he stressed that every student, regardless of their background or academic program, should be afforded the opportunity to participate in competitions aligned with their interests, underscoring the importance of fostering an inclusive environment.