Local health experts raised concerns over the alarming increase in the number of suicide cases recorded in the city within the first three months of the year.
“Suicide attempts are communicated,” Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes said during the management committee meeting held Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
She said those who have a tendency of committing suicide are asking for help and that they communicate their thoughts, frustrations and worries and if these are unnoticed by parents or friends, thoughts of self-harm escalate.
In a media forum initiated by the Public Information Office on March 22, 2023, Dra. Rufina Calub-Abul of the College of Nursing at the Saint Louis University said 75% to 85% of those who attempted to commit suicide “actually communicated the act.”
She explained a lot of factors can trigger an individual but the most common stressor to committing suicide is “intolerable psychological pain” also known as “Psyche Ache.”
“People experiencing psyche ache thinks suicide is the only solution to their problem,” Calub-Abdul explained adding this where intervention and counselling is most needed.
Dr. Mary Libeney Sito, Medical Officer IV at the Department of Education – Baguio City Division said parents should take time and effort to communicate with their children.
“Conversations can be as simple as asking how their day went, if there was someone bullying them or if they need help in their studies, among others,” Sito said.
While the World Health Organization expects “mental illness to be the next pandemic,” the city government through the CHSO is strengthening its Mental Health Program to ensure that those seeking help are heard, assisted and counseled.
The city’s 911 hotline is open 24/7 and ready to listen if your need help. ** JMPS & Alpha May Patacsil
