EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes mention of suicide and self-harm. September is Suicide Prevention Month.
BAGUIO CITY—Last year, my friend died by suicide. It took us all by surprise and the grief that those of us who were left behind felt was unfathomable.
According to the University of the Philippines Population Institute’s Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study, almost 1.5 million young Filipinos tried to end their life in 2021. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 3,117 deaths were caused by intentional self-harm in 2022. The largest number was among those 20 to 25 years old.
According to the Department of Health in the Cordillera, 836 suicides occurred from 2018 to 2022.
Here in the Philippines’ summer capital, the incidence of persons who died by suicide between January and July 2024 decreased by 15% compared to 2023; that’s also a 38% decrease from 2021 figures. Statistically, they are composed mostly of males and youth (15 to 30 years old).
“But still, we strive for zero incidence,” said Ricky Ducas Jr., PhD, RN, coordinator of the mental health program of Baguio’s City Health Services Office (HSO).
According to the World Health Organization, “many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis.” The risk factors include extreme stress, grief, loneliness, discrimination, relationship breakdown, chronic pain and illness, financial problems, violence/abuse, and conflict.
The Mental Health Act of 2017 (Republic Act No. 11036) is the first law that tackles mental health in the Philippines. It provides for psychiatric, psychosocial, and neurological services in all hospitals, and basic mental health services in the community.
Communication
The reasons for suicide are complex, but the good news is that these can be prevented. The most potent way to prevent suicide is communication.
Said Ducas: “We should not suppress emotions because doing so will lead to physical signs and symptoms. One way of diffusing those emotions is through sharing, through talking about [the situation] openly.”
It seems simple, but creating an environment conducive to honest communication really helps.
It starts with building a support system. The Baguio HSO conducts sessions on parenting and training for a peer facilitators’ group at the barangay level in order to raise awareness among family and community members on such topics as the human brain, mental health, and the many stressors in modern society, and to de-stigmatize mental illness. In tackling mental health challenges, not just one person or one family is involved, but the whole of society.
“When they understand that it is a sickness and should not be a source of shame, then they can [more easily] ask for help,” Ducas said. He also wants to debunk the myth that mental illness is contagious, because it is not. People who experience mental health challenges, he said, should find people who can understand and dialogue with them, and who will not judge them.
Medical intervention
Another key factor is medical intervention. Some mental health illnesses can be traced to an imbalance in chemicals or neurotransmitters.
“Like other diseases—for example diabetes or high blood pressure—there are many predisposing factors. And like those conditions, you need to take maintenance medicines to manage them,” Ducas explained.
The HSO offers free assistance for consultation and basic medications. In addition, the PhilHealth mental health package is available for free.
Also, mental health first responders deployed in the barangays are equipped to identify when someone is in need of mental health intervention or even initial assessment, and can refer them to the HSO for psychological first aid.
Young people in Baguio can also seek referrals to guidance counsellors through the Department of Education’s Cordless Care, an e-counselling program for learners from public and private schools.
In 2022, Baguio’s mental health program was among the local government units given the Healthy Pilipinas Awards for Healthy Communities by the Department of Health.
Now, Baguio’s mental health services are integrated into the Smart City Command Center, the city’s centralized portal for programs and services including disaster preparedness, emergency response, smart mobility and transit, and health care.
“When someone calls 911, they can speak to a trained professional who will then refer them to the Baguio General Hospital helpline or the mental health program. If necessary, police, social worker, and emergency management services teams may be dispatched simultaneously,” Ducas said.
Early signs
According to Ducas, these are some things you should watch out for in someone you know: drastic changes in behavior, expressions of feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and expressions of a desire to die or about suicide.
When you observe them, make sure that person gets access to someone they can talk to openly or, even better, a mental health professional.
Finally, Ducas, whose Anxiety and Depression Support Group–Baguio City earned bronze at the 2024 Healthy Pilipinas Awards, advised: “The world is challenging enough as it is. Let’s just be kind to each other.”
If you or someone you know in Baguio City is experiencing mental health challenges, contact:
Department of Health-Cordillera Mental Health Unit: 0938-757-6458
Baguio City Health Services Office-Mental Health and Wellness Unit Helpline:
0919-069-6361
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Mental Health Hotline: (Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.): 0956-991-6841
Philippine Mental Health Association-Cordillera Chapter, Inc.: 0917-517-2083, 0943-708-4672
Cordless Care, Department of Education Baguio: 0956-407-8322, 0907-911-2783, 0906-075-7332, 0908-894-3644
National Center for Mental Health 24-hour Hotline: toll-free landline: 1553; mobile: 0917-899-8727, 0966-351-4518, 0919-057-1553
HOPELine Philippines (Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Inc.): toll-free landline: 2919; mobile: 0917-558-4673, 0918-873-4673
In Touch Hotline: 0917-8001123, 0919-056-0709, 0922-893-8944
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