LAGAWE, Ifugao– The community plays an important role in the prevention of loss of lives due to suicide.
Dr. Priscilla Pagada of the Provincial Health Office said that suicide happens most in moments of crises with the breakdown of the ability to deal with life’s stresses such as financial problems, relationship break-ups or chronic pain and illness. It is also the result of the convergence of risk factors including but not limited to genetic, psychological, social and cultural risk factors, and sometimes combined with experiences of trauma and loss. Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder in people who committed suicide,”
Pagada explained that suicide is preventable with the help of the community and some prevention strategies and control like restriction of access to lethal means, treatment of depression, ensuring a chain of care and school-based universal prevention. The community, she said, has the responsibility to support and empower those who become vulnerable.
“We are part of a community, linked to family, friends, work, colleagues and sometimes we become isolated and disconnected from our community. If you are worried about someone in your community, reach out to them by simply checking them and offering non-judgmental support; you can make a difference,” Pagada added.
Other prevention strategies include early identification and treatment or care for people with mental or substance use disorders, chronic pain, acute emotional distress, medicine access program for mental patients and training of non-specialized health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behavior.
To raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented, World Suicide Prevention Day was organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention with the theme, Working Together to Prevent Suicide.”**JDP/MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao
