Suicide prevention is one of the many agendas of the Philippine government agencies like DOH. Several companies are investing in mental health programs amidst the work from home setup to protect the well-being of their employees. Schools are tapping their guidance counsellors and homeroom teachers to create kid-friendly mental health seminars done through video calls. One factor why they’re doing this is because of the rising suicide rates in the country.
Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life. This can be due to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the third leading cause of death in the world. However, in the Philippines, suicide is currently the 27th cause of death among Filipinos. In this blog, we’ll be tackling about what is suicide, suicide statistics in the Philippines and the world, the signs and symptoms of a suicidal person, what to say to them, and a list of suicide hotlines in the country.
Suicide in a Nutshell
Suicide is a willful cutting off one’s life. It is injuring oneself intentionally in order to take one’s life. Most suicide cases involve different kinds of self-harm. Before a suicide happens, numerous suicidal attempts may occur. These are ways of self-harm that were unsuccessful due to some reasons. The impact of failed suicide attempts has affected family and friends because it allowed them to be more empathetic towards each other. It also made attempt survivors realize that suicide was more complicated than just an impulse.
Suicide survivors testified that their suicide attempts were more than a decision. It was a dissociative state of mind. The few factors that stop them from doing it was the burden that they will place on their loved ones, the conflict that they will leave, and the questioning of the close people around them. They don’t really want to end their life, but rather, stop the pain that they are struggling with internally.
However, there are drastic outcomes for a group of people with a suicide victim. Families and communities who suffered loss through suicide are different. Most of these people blame themselves for what happened, like “what if I said this?” or “what if I could have done better?”. Families coping up with the death of a family member due to suicide is most likely to be prone to depression and complicated grief. There are higher chances that they will have suicidal thoughts, too.
Suicide is truly a sensitive topic. Many mental health professionals continue to do suicide prevention programs to help eradicate the problem. Suicide statistics are steadily rising all over the years as there are many stressors that affect the well-being of people. Stigma still remains because some people not being open-minded about it.
Suicide Statistics in the Philippines and The World
Many news outlets have reported suicide cases all over the Philippines. Most of the victims of suicide are ranging from ages as young as 12 years old. In fact, in 2020 alone, at least 3,500 deaths were due to suicide, making it almost twice the number of suicide-related deaths from 2019. In the country, mental health stigma is very prevalent that’s why there are lesser people who open up about their problems.
800,000 people die from suicide annually. Many young people are suicide victims. In America alone, at least 47,000 committed suicide. Several of these who died from suicide had few mental health interventions or had a diagnosis left untreated. Most mental health patients in the US tend to suffer bouts of depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies. American men are most likely to commit suicide than women.
In Asia, suicide rates are higher. South Korea takes the lead among Asian countries. The Philippines is not lagging behind. Japan and other Asian countries have so much pressure in their hands due to family and society. While the numbers are relatively lower in Middle Eastern, African, and European countries, the mental health stigma is a stronghold over these continents. In Australia, at least 2,000 people were reported as suicide victims in 2016. The statistics all over the world are why mental health professionals are investing in marketing suicide prevention programs.
Signs and Symptoms of A Suicidal Person
Suicide prevention is possible when you know how to spot a suicidal person. Sometimes, we overlook those who are suffering from suicidal thoughts. There are also few people who are good at hiding their feelings so you wouldn’t know immediately that they’re actually suicidal. Watch out for the following signs and symptoms:
- Social Withdrawal – many suicidal people are keeping to themselves a lot more often. If you see your once bubbly friend now turning into a silent person, ask them if they’re okay.
- Talking about ending their life (even if as a joke) – whatever they say, you should be mindful of them. Suicidal people tend to use dark humor to hide what they truly feel. If they talk about committing suicide, tell them that you’re there for them and you would want them around in your life.
- Engaging in illegal, life-threatening activities – individuals who want to end their life typically join gangs and other mercenary groups because they want to die fast. They also take drugs in order to feel happy and high while also knowing that drugs will kill them.
- Sudden changes in personality and behavior – if they’re giving away instructions, personal belongings, and written wills, then you should be alert. They’re actually preparing to set up their suicide so it’s best that you ask them about their actions.
- Self-harm wounds – If you have seen them doing self-harm or notice that they have many injuries, they might be doing suicide attempts. They also like to hide some parts of their body that they have already wounded.
What To Say To A Suicidal Person
Your words matter to those who are suffering from suicidal thoughts. Avoid gaslighting them. Instead, you should say the following “save a life” phrases:
- “I’m here for you.”
- “Do you want to go out?”
- “How can I make your day today?”
- “I don’t know what you’re going through but I’m here to listen”
- “I care for you.”
Philippine Suicide Hotline for Suicide Prevention
The National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline
The National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline offers 24-hour service to people in the Philippines who are depressed or at risk of suicide.
Tel: (02) 989-8727(telephone)
Tel: (0917) 899-8727 (cellphone)