Introduction

Every suicide is a tragedy. It is estimated that over 800 000 people die by suicide and that there
are many suicide attempts for each death. The impact on families, friends and communities is
devastating and far-reaching, even long after persons dear to them have taken their own lives.
Unfortunately, suicide all too often fails to be prioritized as a major public health problem.
Despite an increase in research and knowledge about suicide and its prevention, the taboo and
stigma surrounding suicide persist and often people do not seek help or are left alone. And if they
do seek help, many health systems and services fail to provide timely and effective help. Yet,
suicides are preventable. This report encourages countries to continue the good work where it is
already ongoing and to place suicide prevention high on the agenda, regardless of where a
country stands currently in terms of suicide rate or suicide prevention activities. With timely and
effective evidence-based interventions, treatment and support, both suicides and suicide attempts
can be prevented. The burden of suicide does not weigh solely on the health sector; it has
multiple impacts on many sectors and on society as a whole. Thus, to start a successful journey
towards the prevention of suicide, countries should employ a multi sectoral approach that
addresses suicide in a comprehensive manner, bringing together the different sectors and
stakeholders most relevant to each context. In the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020,
WHO Member States have committed themselves to work towards the global target of reducing
the suicide rate in countries by 10% by 2020. WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Program, which
was launched in 2008, includes suicide as one of the priority conditions and provides evidence-
based technical guidance to expand service provision in countries, it is against this background
that I am pleased to present Preventing suicide: a global imperative. This report builds on
previous work and contributes two key elements to moving forward: a global knowledge base on
suicide and suicide attempts to guide governments, policy-makers and relevant stakeholders, and
actionable steps for countries based on their current resources and contexts. In addition, it
represents a significant resource for developing a comprehensive multi sectoral strategy that can
prevent suicide effectively. Every single life lost to suicide is one too many. The way forward is
to act together, and the time to act is now (Chan, 2014). Social, psychological, cultural and other
factors can interact to lead a person to suicidal behaviour, but the stigma attached to mental
disorders and suicide means that many people feel unable to seek help. Despite the evidence that
many deaths are preventable, suicide is too often a low priority for governments and policy-
makers. The objective of this report is to prioritize suicide prevention on the global public health
and public policy agendas and to raise awareness of suicide as a public health issue. The report
was developed through a global consultative process and is based on systematic reviews of data
and evidence together with inputs from partners and stakeholders. A systematic way of
developing a national response to suicide is to create a national suicide prevention strategy. A
national strategy indicates a government’s clear commitment to dealing with the issue of suicide.
Typical national strategies comprise a range of prevention strategies such as surveillance, means
restriction, media guidelines, stigma reduction and raising of public awareness as well as training
for health workers, educators, police and other gatekeepers. They also usually include crisis
intervention services and postvention. Key elements in developing a national suicide prevention
strategy are to make prevention a multi sectoral priority that involves not only the health sector
but also education, employment, social welfare, the judiciary and others. The strategy should be
tailored to each country’s cultural and social context, establishing best practices and evidence-
based interventions in a comprehensive approach. Resources should be allocated for achieving
both short-to-medium and long-term objectives, there should be effective planning, and the
strategy should be regularly evaluated, with evaluation findings feeding into future planning. In
countries where a fully-developed comprehensive national strategy is not yet in place, this should
not be an obstacle to implementing targeted suicide prevention programmes since 09 these can
contribute to a national response. Such targeted programmes aim to identify groups vulnerable to
the risk of suicide and improve access to services and resources for those groups. What is known
about suicide in the Philippines is limited. In the previous decades, there have been very few
studies regarding the phenomenon that is situated in the context of the country. Instead, those
who wish to understand suicide in the country need to rely on empirical studies that are based
predominantly in developed countries – most often in Europe and North America. These studies
may have limited applicability in the Philippine setting given the different cultural context with
which the youth are a part of. When it comes to the studies situated in the Philippines, the most
important piece of literature in suicide is arguably Redaniel et al.’s longitudinal analysis of
suicide rates in the Philippines from 1974 to 2005. The study pored over the data provided by the
Philippine Health Statistics (PHS) published annually by the Department of Health. There is a
number of important findings which the study arrived at. First, as mentioned previously in the
introduction of this paper, the incidence of suicide in males increased from 0.23 to 3.59 per
100,000 between 1984 and 2005. Similarly, rates rose from 0.12 to 1.09 per 100,000 in females.
Amongst females, suicide rates were highest in 15-24 year olds, whilst in males rates were
similar in all age groups throughout the study period.

Reference:

Riaz Hassan Professor of Sociology: The Flinders University of South Australia. World Health
Organization 2014

Mental health action plan 2013−2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013

WHO mortality database documentation: 1 May 2013 update. Geneva: World Health
Organization; 2013
A. Timeframe

In Philippines, The suicide rate among Filipinos has gone up in the last 21 years with the
majority of cases involving young people aged 24 years old and below, according to studies.
Problems that precipitate suicide are usually temporary ones–unfortunately, suicide is a
permanent solution to these temporary troubles. Life’s difficulties can be extremely painful and
may appear to last forever; however, better times do happen. Survivors of attempted suicide
consistently express relief that their attempt failed. Tragically, increasing numbers of young
adults are choosing this option. A recent study shows that over the last 30 years the suicide rate
in young people has more than tripled. The most dramatic increase in the suicide rate has
occurred in the 15 to 24 age bracket (up 312%), followed by the 20- to 24-year-old age group (up
163%)–both traditional college-age groups. The most sobering statistic is that suicide is second
only to automobile accidents as the leading cause of death among 18- to 24-year-olds.

As this project approved, its goal is to lessen the violence and decrease the negative emotion
that interacts to those victims and people who are experiencing depression. Every person has the
right to be protected against violence and abuse, and your children are no exception. As parents,
you do all that you can to shelter and keep your children safe from harm. But it is only a matter
of time before these children grow, and you will no longer be able to keep a watchful eye on
them all day. Such is the case when they begin to go to school. It is for this reason that the Anti
Bullying Act has been established by the Philippine Government.

B. Beneficiary

This project is targeting almost all Filipino, young or old (male or female) ages range from
13 years old and above or any age as long as they experiencing depression cause by bullying and
suicide becomes their last option. They are all beneficiaries of this project to become prepare.
Knowing and finding beneficiaries are so important in this project most particularly those people
who tend to commit suicide without thinking the other good things outside their world. In this
project beneficiaries will realize that the authorities and people that conducted this project are
caring to them.
C. Rules

It can be difficult to handle when someone you know is considering suicide. You may feel
that you don’t know how to help them or prevent them from acting on their suicidal thoughts.
However, if you recognize the risk factors and warning signs, take action when someone is
suicidal, and support them over time, you can help prevent a suicide.

Their proposed policy undergo the rules to clarify and organize the projects that they build.
The rules are (1) Pay attention to risk factors. There are some life events that make a person
more likely to attempt suicide. If you know what to look for, you will have a better chance at
preventing it from happening. Pay attention to the stressors going on in the person’s life and
consider whether they might be placing the person at risk for suicide. (2) Listen for verbal
warnings. Often a person considering suicide will give verbal clues about what they are planning.
Knowing what phrases to listen for can help you recognize when the person is suicidal and help
them before they go through with it. (3) Notice their emotions. You can help prevent a suicide by
paying attention to how the person feels and is acting emotionally. There are some emotional
warning signs that the person might be contemplating suicide. (4) Look for changes in behavior.
People that are thinking about suicide may show behavioral warning signs. Paying attention to
how the person is acting can help you prevent their suicide.

D. Budget

The cost of our project in preventing suicide is 800, 000 pesos. For the equipment
including the computers, sound systems and other things needed in this project. 300, 000 pesos is
only for the rent of the venue which is the program takes place. We need also a support from the
government to promote our project because we are only a student and cannot be able to provide
that 800k. For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. As well
as the obvious impact this has for an individual and their friends, and families, this also has a
societal cost. To prevent this kind of situation in our society, we create a project or program to
help other people. As a smart organizer of this project, we will do everything to help the people
especially the people experiencing the major disorders such as, depression and stress to lead
suicide. Our project will also help the people to know what are the steps or ways on how to
overcome your problem and not lead to suicidal attempts. Everyone has the strength in them to
make it through tough times, some people just need help to get that strength out of them. This is
why it's so important that we all listen to each other and help each other out.

E. Activities and Projects

On September 12, 2013, Republic Act No. 10627, entitled “An Act Requiring All
Elementary and Secondary Schools to Adopt Policies to Prevent and Address The Acts Of
Bullying In Their Institutions” was signed by President Aquino, officially placing executive
imprimatur on the Bill passed by the 15th Congress. Also referred to as the “Anti-Bullying Act
of 2013”, the law defines the act of bullying as “any severe or repeated use by one or more
students of a written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any
combination thereof” that is “directed at another student.” Furthermore, such use must have the
effect of “actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm
or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school for the other student;
infringing on the rights of the other student at school; or materially and substantially disrupting
the education process or the orderly operation of a school.” Schools covered are mandated by the
law to “identify the range of disciplinary administrative actions that may be taken” against a
bully which should be commensurate to the gravity of his offense. Clear procedures are also
mandatory for: (1) Reporting acts of bullying or retaliation; (2) Responding promptly to and
investigating reports of bullying or retaliation; (3) Restoring a sense of safety for a victim and
assessing the student’s need for protection; (4) Protecting from bullying or retaliation of a person
who reports acts of bullying and (5) Providing counseling or referral to appropriate services for
perpetrators, victims and appropriate family members these students. The Department of Health
appealed to the public to reach out to lonely people who need someone to talk to, in celebration
of the World Suicide Prevention Day, which kicks of national prevention week. “Simple acts of
kindness, gentle words of hope and listening heart can make all the difference” Health Secretary
Paulyn Jean Ubial said during the suicide prevention run held in Marikina city. (6) “Take a
minute, change a life, Tara Usap Tayo!”. The DOH also uses the hashtag “#TalkToSomeJUAN”
on social media. “This year’s theme encourages everyone to devote time and reached out for
those who need someone to talk to and allow them to express themselves and their story at their
own way and at their own pace. Remember, you can always talk to someone, give social and
emotional reinforcement, live a positive and a healthy lifestyle and be with supportive family and
friends,” Ubial noted. (7) “Suicide is preventable. One must understand that there is no single
approach to resolve an issue as complex as suicide, but talking more openly about it is a good
start of preventing it. If the person is at high risk of suicide, ask him or her directly. It is
important to discuss the issue openly without expressing fear or negative judgement and remain
calm and in control,” Ubial said. (8) Be with the person, do not leave them alone, and remove
anything that can be used to carry out the intention, inform the person’s immediate family, and
keep emergency numbers ready for professional help. You may refer or call the suicide hotline,
HOPELINE, at (02) 804 4673, 09175584673 or 2919 toll free for Globe and TM subscribers,”
she added.

F. Expected Results

Mental health problems have been identified as one of the many complex factors behind
suicide. But open discussion of these issues remains taboo in some communities, making it
difficult for vulnerable people to seek professional help. But the psychiatrists acknowledged that
the challenge is greater now in the age of social media. While most news organizations have
adopted guidelines on reporting on suicide, misinformation and rumors can run free and
unchecked online. As a public health concern, the psychiatrists also emphasized the need for
everyone to be involved in suicide prevention. Dr. Ma. Bernadette Arcena said friends and
family members should be on the lookout for common warning signs, such as behavioral
changes and verbal cues, to help loved ones with suicidal tendencies. As an expected results or
outcomes, due to the Republic Act No. 10627, entitled “An Act Requiring All Elementary And
Secondary Schools To Adopt Policies To Prevent And Address The Acts Of Bullying In Their
Institutions,” the rate of suicide in the Philippines lessen because of this newly created law. Also
the World Health Organization has issued steps for everyone to take note in the prevention of
suicide. When a person is positive to having suicide thoughts and killing himself or herself,
people around should take action by never leaving someone suicidal on their own and removing
the means of suicide available to the person if it is safe to do so. Their immediate family
members should be informed about the intention of suicide and collaborate for their safety, call
for professional help and communicate with the person. The following messages can be told to
the suicidal person: "I am listening and I care; I want to help; there is hope for the future; they
should also be asked what about those important people he or she cares about?" One can further
request a person who intends to commit suicide to share their problems on the condition that they
will not be judged and to help them remember their faith, beliefs and personal strengths. The
WHO believes that with proper support, a caring person can change things for the better. In the
Philippines, support group institutions noted four areas Filipinos seek help- issues on love
relationships; gender issues including gender confusion; family matters and bullying in the
workplace, school and social media. Medical experts believe stress and depression can lead to
suicide. In the Philippines, one out of five can experience some episodes of depression. WHO
also noted depression will be the second leading cause of world disability by 2020. Negrense
Psychiatrist Dr. Charibel Escandelor, during her recent lecture to information officers said too
much stress could lead to depression and recommended ways to rightly deal with stress. She said
it is important for one to make a list of the causes of his or her stressors that are: changeable,
positive but stressful and those that that are short term against the long term. Furthermore, a
person should acknowledge his or her situation, do behavior modification and communicate.

G. Sustainability Plan

The sustainability movement says that our capacity to endure is the responsibility of
individuals, who must make lifestyle choices within the existing structures of civilization. SPRC
is the nation’s only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the National
Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP). SPRC provides technical assistance, training, and
materials to increase the knowledge and expertise of suicide prevention practitioners and other
professionals serving people at risk for suicide. SPRC serves individuals, groups, and
organizations that play important roles in suicide prevention, including GLS grantees and state
suicide prevention coordinators across the country, implementing suicide prevention programs
and strategies. The literature demonstrated that issues of sustainability largely transcend specific
health fields. Factors affecting the sustainability of suicide prevention programs are likely similar
to the factors affecting the sustainability of other health programs. Thus, suicide prevention
practitioners can benefit from tools created from other disciplines for designing sustainable
programs. The National Mental Health Policy shall be pursued through a mental health program
strategy prioritizing the promotion of mental health, protection of the rights and freedom of
persons with mental diseases and the reduction of the burden and consequences of mental ill-
health, mental and brain disorders and disabilities. WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan
has said: “The inclusion of non-communicable diseases under the health goal is a historical
turning point. Finally, these diseases are getting the attention they deserve. Through their 169
interactive and synergistic targets, the SDGs seek to move the world towards greater fairness that
leaves no one behind.” Within the health goal, two targets are directly related to mental health
and substance abuse. Target 3.4 requests that countries: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature
mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote
mental health and well-being.” Target 3.5 requests that countries: “Strengthen the prevention and
treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”