Frequently Asked Questions

GAYON (Guidance Assistance for the Youth Online) is a digital platform that connects students with qualified guidance counselors across participating educational institutions. Students can schedule online counseling sessions, access mental health resources, and receive support from licensed professionals, even if their own school doesn't have available counselors.

To create an account:

1. Click "Get Started" on the homepage
2. Provide your student ID and institutional email
3. Complete the registration form with accurate information
4. Verify your email address through the confirmation link
5. Complete your profile setup and preferences

Note: You must be enrolled in a participating educational institution to create an account.

Yes, GAYON is completely free for all enrolled students. The platform is funded by CHED Region V as part of our commitment to student mental health and wellbeing. There are no hidden fees or charges for accessing counseling services or platform features.

Absolutely. All communications between students and counselors are strictly confidential and protected by professional counseling ethics and legal standards. We use end-to-end encryption for all sessions and maintain the highest data security standards. Your personal information and session details are never shared without your explicit consent, except in rare cases where there's imminent danger to yourself or others.

Your school will only know basic enrollment verification information needed to confirm your eligibility for the platform. They will not have access to your counseling sessions, personal communications, or any details about your mental health journey. Your privacy is completely protected from institutional oversight.

GAYON employs bank-level security measures including end-to-end encryption, secure SSL/TLS protocols, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits. Our platform complies with international data protection standards and Philippine privacy laws. All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.

All counselors on GAYON are licensed professionals with verified credentials from participating educational institutions. They hold appropriate degrees in guidance counseling, psychology, or related fields, and have experience working with student populations. Each counselor undergoes a thorough vetting process and regular training on online counseling best practices.

To schedule a session:

1. Log into your GAYON account
2. Browse available counselors or use our matching system
3. Select a counselor that fits your preferences
4. Choose from available time slots
5. Confirm your appointment and receive a confirmation email

You can also request urgent consultations for immediate support needs.

GAYON counselors can help with a wide range of issues including:

• Academic stress and performance anxiety
• Personal and family relationship issues
• Mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, etc.)
• Career guidance and decision-making
• Social adjustment and peer relationships
• Financial stress and resource planning
• Identity and self-esteem issues
• Grief and loss support

For severe mental health crises, counselors will help connect you with appropriate emergency resources and specialized care.

GAYON works on most modern devices and browsers:

Supported Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge (latest versions)

Devices: Desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones

For the best experience, we recommend using a device with a camera and microphone for video counseling sessions.

If you experience technical issues during a session, try refreshing your browser first. If problems persist, use the in-platform chat feature to communicate with your counselor. Our technical support team is available 24/7 through the help center. Sessions interrupted by technical issues can be rescheduled at no cost.

We offer multiple support channels:

• In-platform help center with step-by-step guides
• 24/7 live chat support
• Email support at support@gayon.ched.gov.ph
• Video tutorials and FAQ sections
• Phone support during business hours

Our support team is specially trained to help students navigate the platform and resolve any issues quickly.