By Jennifer P. Rendon
A slight decrease in the number of suicide cases were recorded this year in Iloilo province.
Records from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) indicated that suicide deaths in January to November 2021 reduced by around 8 percent, from 80 against 87 cases in the same period last year.
September 2021 accounted for the most number of suicide incidents with 12 while May and July have 12 and 10 cases, respectively.
Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, said there could be several factors that can trigger a person to take his or her own life.
Depression caused by the pandemic or family and financial woes could be possible reasons.
But whether the cases lowered or not, suicide is still a concern that needs to be properly addressed, Gorero said.
Unfortunately, addressing mental health issues is something that IPPO is not expertly trained to do.
“But we have a Pag-Ulikid Desk in each police station that would cater to persons who are battling depression or similar problems,” he said.
The desk personnel would cater and help refer the client to proper agencies or authorities that could address their concerns.
The desk was established late last year amid the rising suicide incidents in the province.
It was gathered that young adults (17 to 30 years old) topped the number of suicide incidents with 30 cases.
24 cases involved old adults (45 years and above) while 20 incidents were recorded for middle aged adults (31 to 45 years old).
The IPPO also recorded six cases of suicide among children (3 to 16 years old). The said number, though, is lower from last year’s 14 cases.
