Faces of Death in the Philippines: Suicide

Just this year, two separate incidents of suicide at a popular Mandaluyong City mall have made the headlines. A 48-year-old woman and a teenage girl both jumped to their deaths from the fifth floor of the mall in February and October, respectively. With both incidents leaving the two needing a memorial chapel for their untimely funerals and going viral, netizens were quick to react, with some hastily jumping into conclusions.

These incidents are only a few of the reported suicide cases in the Philippines and there may be more that are unreported. In fact, in 2012, there were 2,558 estimated numbers of suicide cases in the country, according to a 2014 global report on preventing suicide by World Health Organization.

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Although the Philippines has the lowest suicide rate among the ASEAN-member countries, its own suicide rates has been increasing for the last three decades, based on the Philippine Psychiatric Association findings. Also, there is a notable peak around the ages of 15 to 24 for both gender, and 65 and above for males.

According to psychiatrist Bernadette Arcena, it is important that we should not compare the country’s suicide rates to the other countries, and instead focus on our own statistics on whether it is rising or falling.

But what causes these people to commit suicide, or even consider doing it? According to WebMD, serious depression can cause a high risk of suicide. A study about mental depression among college students in Metro Manila has stated that academic work is the biggest factor that gave the respondents the “depressed feelings,” followed by family and relationship problems. These factors contribute to an individual’s untimely demise and an early need of a memorial chapel.

Suicide, being the second leading cause of death in the world among 15 to 29 years old, is a public health issue that needs to be addressed. However, because of the stigma surrounding suicide, it makes harder for people suffering from depression to seek help. In the Philippines, there is also a mentality that equates consulting a psychiatrist to being insane, according to Jeanne Goulbourn, president of non-profit Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF).

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That said, de-stigmatizing mental health should help prevent suicides. One way to de-stigmatize it is by changing the language by how it is described, according to Dinah Nadera, another psychiatrist. In addition, a Mental Health Act and a national prevention program are needed to put a stop on the issue.

Furthermore, in case you are dealing with a suicidal love one, families and friends can do these five steps to prevent a loved one from committing the act.

Understand
Listen
Express Concern
Talk Frankly
Assess Lethal Intent

Remember that depression is a serious case that needs an immediate treatment. Suicide is a taboo that needs to be broken. Don’t let yourself or someone you know be part of the statistics. Don’t let them end up needing a memorial chapel for their untimely funerals. YOU can do something.

There are suicide hotlines like NGF’s HOPELINE that you or your loved one may call when feeling depressed. Reach them at 0917-558-HOPE (4673) or (02) 804-HOPE (4673), or their toll-free number for all Globe and TM subscribers at 2919.