PSA: Ateneo Bulatao Center Has a Free Mental Health Service You Can Sign Up For
Open to those 18 and above whose needs match the service.
by Zoe Andin
Published on Sep 8, 2026
(SPOT.ph) September is World Suicide Prevention Month. Before distress reaches a crisis point, one of the first steps we can take to help ourselves or a loved one in need is to find accessible avenues for open and honest conversations about mental health.
One such option is the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services, which offers free Brief Psychological Services (BPS) to support adults experiencing mild to moderate emotional distress. The one- to two-session counseling provides a safe space for people to share their concerns and discuss coping strategies and emotional management.
BPS sessions are held via online video call for a maximum of one hour. It will be facilitated by a BPS responder, a graduate student in psychology who has received training and mentorship from licensed psychologists.
An important disclaimer from Ateneo Bulatao Center: the BPS is not a crisis line for urgent matters, as scheduling can take up to three weeks. It also doesn’t replace long-term psychotherapy or treatment for mental health symptoms.
Also read: First Aid for Mental Health: This Workshop Teaches You What to Do When Someone Isn’t Okay
How to sign up for free psychological services at Ateneo Bulatao Center
According to the Bulatao Center, participants must be 18 years old and above and be based in the Philippines. The following are not eligible for the BPS sessions, as they require more specialized psychological or psychiatric services:
Individuals 17 years old and below
Adults experiencing severe symptoms of mental health conditions
Adults with concerns requiring long term support and more thorough exploration
Adults with learning or intellectual disabilities
Adults who have experienced an active episode of psychosis within the past month
Adults living outside the Philippines
Signing up is as simple as filling out the initial screening form to request a BPS appointment. Scheduling a session on someone’s behalf is not allowed.
You must also indicate whether or not you have availed of a BPS session before applying.
The questionnaire will ask for basic personal information, including your name, age, gender, contact details, educational attainment, occupation, location, and preferred language. You’ll also be asked to indicate your available schedule. Sessions are held Wednesdays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with limited Monday slots from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Expect to provide some context about what you’re currently going through, including how long you’ve been experiencing it and how it has been affecting you. This helps the center assess your needs to match you with an appropriate responder.
What's next after you submit the form?
The Bulatao Center will evaluate your initial screening to determine whether a BPS or another service better suits your concerns. If you’re eligible for BPS, a representative from the center will reach out to facilitate the necessary documents. Once these are completed, you’ll receive your schedule.
Because of high demand, getting an appointment may take up to three weeks from your sign-up date. If you can’t afford to wait for a free session, Ateneo Bulatao Center also offers paid counseling and psychotherapy services. You can contact the center at bulataocenter.ls@ateneo.edu for current rates.
If you are in need of urgent care, please proceed to the emergency room of the hospital nearest to you. You can also call the following numbers:
NCMH Crisis Hotline: 0917-899-8727, 0966-351-4518, or 1553
Hopeline PH: 0917-558-4673 or (02) 8804-4673
In Touch Community Services: (02) 8893-7603 or 0917-800-1123
Zoe thinks a lot but forgets just as much. Writing helps her deal with both problems. When she isn't writing, she spends time baking sweets, wandering around, or staring up at the moon.