TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 12 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is hiring 436 new counselor associates for public schools in Eastern Visayas this year to help enhance school-based mental health services.

DepEd Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jasmin Calzita said Wednesday the recruitment process seeks to capacitate more schools to address mental health issues of students in the region.

"Counselors in DepEd schools are critically important because they safeguard students' mental health, guide career development and ensure child protection. They are legally mandated professionals who act as first responders to issues like depression, bullying and family conflict, making them essential pillars of holistic education," she said in...