By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Department of Health has established suicide prevention hotlines in the country. For those who need help, they could call 0917-899-8727 (USAP) and 0917-989-8727 (USAP)
How do you solve the problem of rising suicide cases? Undoubtedly, it is easier said than done.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) believes that it takes more than police work and the psychological and spiritual approaches to stop or even lessen suicide.
In 2019, IPPO recorded 79 suicide incidents, which is 20 percent higher against 65 incidents in 2018.
Passi City has the highest number of incidents with seven followed by Cabatuan, Leon, and Santa Barbara.
The IPPO noted that most victims were males 10 to 19 years old.
Police investigation also indicated that majority of suicide fatalities took their lives due to alleged depression.
The other top reasons for suicide were family problems, nervous breakdown, and third party to a love affair.
Noting the rising suicide incidents when he assumed his post in September 2019, Police Colonel Roland Vilela, Iloilo police chief, said all police stations in the province launched awareness campaigns on suicide.
Station chiefs were also directed to dig deeper into suicide cases.
But Vilela said that the awareness campaign was not enough. He instead called for a multi-sectoral approach to prevent suicide.
“We are doing our best but this may not be enough without the reinforcement from other sectors,” he said.
Vilela noted a provincial ordinance that seeks to deal with mental health problem and prevent suicide incidents.
The ordinance plans to set up a local hotline where persons with severe emotional problems or anyone contemplating to end their lives can call.
But Vilela said all sectors of society that can contribute to mental health awareness should participate.
Vilela noted that faith in God must be nurtured among our youth.
He also underscored the importance of support system within the family and in the schools.
For its part, the IPPO could help in profiling the victims so that authorities could get a good grasp on the situation.
AGE DIFFERENCE
While women showed more tendency to suffer depression and attempt to end their lives, completed suicide are higher among men.
Globally, statistics would show that the number of suicides in men is three to four times higher than that of females.
There could be several factors that could drive a person to end his life but severe depression is still the most common.
There could be other factors and illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and even eating disorder.
Authorities have acknowledged that people sometimes attempt suicide not necessarily because they want to die.
Instead, they just don’t know how and where to get help.
Since 2013, the World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is being observed every September 10 to promote awareness in a bid to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world.
In the Philippines, it was deemed that the passage of Republic Act 11036 (The Mental Health Law) could address growing concerns on mental health and suicide incidents.
The law proposes a mental health policy that aims to enhance integrated mental health services, the promotion of mental health services, protection of people who use said services, and the establishment of a Philippine mental health council.
