General Santos City — A Grade 11 student in Barangay Fatima, General Santos City is reportedly battling depression after allegedly being humiliated and verbally abused by her teacher in front of her classmates, raising serious concerns about student welfare, mental health, and professionalism in schools.
According to the student’s parents, the 17-year-old, identified only as “Helen” for privacy and protection, broke down in tears and has since refused to return to school after her teacher allegedly called her “bogo” (stupid) during class. The remark was reportedly made in front of her classmates, causing deep emotional pain and embarrassment.
The parents said the incident occurred during a group project activity when Mae failed to answer a question. Instead of offering guidance or support, the teacher allegedly lashed out at her, humiliating her publicly. The emotional impact was worsened by the fact that Mae was already vulnerable due to having chickenpox at the time, a condition that had already made her self-conscious.
Despite being hurt, Mae reportedly forced herself to laugh in class to hide the pain she was feeling — a coping mechanism that masked her emotional distress but did not prevent the damage to her mental health.
“Grabe ang kasakit nga iyang gibati, pero gitago ra niya aron dili siya mahimong kataw-anan,” her parents shared, adding that their daughter has since shown signs of depression, withdrawal, and fear of returning to school.
As of this writing, neither the teacher involved nor the school administration has released an official statement regarding the incident.
Mental Health Advocates Sound Alarm
Mental health advocates stress that verbal abuse and public humiliation by authority figures, especially teachers, can have long-term psychological effects on young people, including depression, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, and trauma.
“Schools should be safe spaces. When a teacher becomes the source of humiliation, it can break a child’s spirit,” said a local child rights advocate. “Words have power. For a teenager, especially, being labeled ‘stupid’ can leave lasting scars.”
Call for Investigation and Accountability
Parents and community members are now calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) and school authorities to immediately investigate the incident and ensure accountability. They are also urging schools to strengthen child protection policies, mental health programs, and teacher training on positive discipline and emotional sensitivity.
“This is not just about one student. This is about protecting all children from emotional abuse,” the parents said.
A Reminder: Mental Health Matters
This incident serves as a painful reminder that mental health is just as important as academic performance. Struggles in class should be met with patience, guidance, and encouragement — not ridicule.
Experts warn that untreated emotional distress in adolescents can lead to serious consequences, including long-term depression, school dropout, and in severe cases, self-harm.
If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling
If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, emotional distress, or thoughts of self-harm, seek help immediately. Talk to a trusted family member, teacher, guidance counselor, or contact local mental health hotlines. No one should suffer in silence.