SUICIDE

Limbanganon, Cynthialyn
Villones, Queen Dorothy
Suicide is not a mental illness but a serious potential consequence of
treatable mental disorders that include major depression, bipolar disorder,
posttraumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia,
substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders like bulimia
and anorexia nervosa (WebMD, 2020).
 Suicide – The act of taking one’s own life.

Suicide attempt – A potentially injurious act or

behavior directed to one’s self with an intention to
die as the consequence of the behavior.

Suicide ideation / thought – A term for suicidal

thoughts and feelings without suicidal actions.

DEFINITIONS Suicide intent / threat – A verbal or non-verbal

By Suicide Prevention And Postvention Protocol, behavior indicating a self-destructive desire with a
University of the City of Manila
plan of action.
Suicide Warning Signs
Behavioral Clues
• Severe sadness or moodiness
• Hopelessness
• Sleep problems
• Sudden calmness
• Withdrawal
• Changes in personality or appearance
• Dangerous or self-harmful behavior
• Recent trauma or life crisis
• Making preparations
• Threatening or talking about suicide
 Warning Signals for Suicide
Direct Verbal Clues
“I’ve decided to kill myself.”
“I wish I were dead.”
“I am going to commit suicide.”
“I’m going to end it all.”
“If (such and such) doesn’t happen, I’ll kill myself.”

Indirect “Coded” Verbal Cues

“I’m tired of life, I just can’t go on.”
“My family would be better off without me.”
“Who cares if I’m dead anyway.”
“I just want out.”
“I won’t be around much longer.”
“Pretty soon you won’t have to worry about me.”
Suicide data collected by the World Health Organization shows
that 800,000 people die each year due to suicide, which
translates to one death every 40 seconds worldwide. The
organization also reported 2,449 deaths by suicide in the
Philippines.

More people died by suicide last year as the pandemic began

and dragged on, with the Philippine Statistics Authority
reporting a 57% increase in the country’s suicide rate in 2020
compared to the preceding year.
The PSA said suicide is the 25th leading cause of death in 2020,
up six notches from 31st place in 2019. It took the lives of
4,420 people last year, compared to 2,810 deaths in 2019.
MentalHealthPH - (a non-profit organization whose core members are composed of health
professionals and mental health advocates nationwide.)

Strategic actions that de-stigmatize mental health issues:

• Further promote education in the communities, schools, and workplaces to end the stigma
attached to suicide and increase awareness on mental health among individuals.

• Encourage media professionals and organizations to practice responsible reporting and

sensitive portrayal of suicide.

• Accelerate the implementation and local adoption of the Philippine Mental Health Law of
2018 to ensure the protection of mental health and improve mental healthcare facilities
through the integration of mental health services down to barangays.

• The group reiterated the importance of seeking professional help and reaching out to a
family member or friends for support and guidance.
 The most commonly used methods
of suicide in the Philippines

• hanging, shooting and organophosphate ingestion. In

non-fatal attempts, the most common methods used
were ingestion of drugs, specifically isoniazid and
paracetamol, or organophosphate ingestion. Family
and relationship problems were the most common
precipitants. While rates were lower compared to
other countries, there is suggestive evidence of
underreporting and misclassification to undetermined
injury. Recent increases may reflect either true
increase or better reporting of suicides.

References: https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2458-11-536
• The Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the World
Health Organization (WHO), is jointly raising awareness on the
importance of public mental health, especially amidst the COVID-
19 pandemic.

• Though the Philippines has consistently ranked in the Top 5 of a

global optimism index, the National Center for Mental Health
(NCMH) has revealed a significant increase in monthly hotline
calls regarding depression, with numbers rising from 80 calls pre-
lockdown to nearly 400.

• Globally, the most vulnerable population is those aged 15-29.

Mental health-related deaths are also the second leading cause
of fatalities in this age group.
• These numbers illustrate the need for more conversations and
programs that will break the stigma around mental health. Most
times, Filipinos do not feel comfortable sharing their mental
health challenges for fear of alienation or prejudice.
• The DOH has launched a multi-sectoral approach for
mental health with programs and interventions across a
variety of settings (e.g. workplaces, schools, communities)
aimed at high-risk groups. 

• Another project is the development of a multi-sectoral

National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which includes
psychosocial services such as the NCMH’s Crisis Hotline
“Kamusta Ka? Tara Usap Tayo,” launched on 2 May 2019.
The hotline is available 24/7 for prompt psychological first
aid.

• The UP Diliman Psychosocial Services (UPD PsychServ) has

also provided free counseling via telephone for front liners.
• AN ACT TO PROVIDE EARLY YOUTH SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION
EXPANSION- Introduced by SENATOR JOEL VILLANUEVA
September 16, 2020.
Youth Suicide Program refers to youth suicide intervention, prevention and response
strategies.

• SEC. 7. Youth Suicide Program - The Council shall formulate specific projects, activities
and programs (PAPs) designed to develop capacity of school authorities, community
and household members for early detection of suicidal behavior, prevention of youth
suicide risk factors and provide proper support and response to youth displaying
suicidal behavior. These may include, but are not limited to, the following strategies:
• (a) Integration of mental health and personality development education into the
basic and higher education curricula; (b) Development of mental health and
personality development training modules and public campaigns to be implemented
in communities, juvenile justice systems, foster care systems and other youth support
organizations and establishments.
• (c) Formulation of parent education programs designed to increase family
support and capacity for household-based early detection, response and
prevention of youth suicide;
• (d) Coordination and assistance of local government units in formulating
local programs on early intervention, prevention and response strategies;
• (e) Development of targeted intervention strategies for high risk youth,
including those at risk of mental health problems, substance abuse
disorder and other associated risk factors of youth suicide;
• (f) Formulation of a youth suicide rehabilitation program that aims to
provide assistance to youth with previous history of suicidal behavior; and
• (g) Adoption of other best evidence-based programs for early intervention,
prevention and response strategies identified by the Council.
References: http://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2486321417!.pdf
WHO Representative in the
Philippines, Dr. Rabindra
Abeyasinghe.
“With compassion and understanding for others, we can
recognize the signs and educate ourselves how to access help.
We all have a critical role in preventing suicide by socially
connecting with affected people and connecting people to mental
health services or medical care”.
• It might help to:
• Let them know that you care about them and that they are not
alone, empathize with them. You could say something like, “I
can’t imagine how painful this is for you, but I would like to try
to understand,”
• Be non-judgmental. Don’t criticize or blame them.
• Show that you are listening by repeating information they have
shared with you. This can also make sure that you have
understood them properly.
• Ask about their reasons for living and dying and listen to their
answers. Try to explore their reasons for living in more detail.
• Ask if they have felt like this before. If so, ask how their feelings
changed last time.
• Reassure them they will not feel this way forever.
• Encourage them to focus on getting through the
day rather than focusing on the future.
• Volunteer to assist them in finding professional
help. If need be, offer to keep them company
during their session with a licensed therapist. 
• Follow up any commitments that you agree to.
• Make sure someone is with them if they are in
immediate danger.
• If you’re unsure about how to help, reach out to
medical professionals for guidance.
• Remember that you don’t need to find an
answer, or even to completely understand why
they feel the way they do. Listening to what they
have to say will at least let them know you care.
 PHILIPPINE
HOTLINES
Philippine Mental Health Association Online Support
PMHA Facebook Messenger
pmhacds@gmail.com
0917-565-2036
• LUZON VISAYAS
• SLU- Sunflow Children and Youth Wellness Center, University of San Carlos (USC) Mental Health Onli
Baguio City  ne Support for COVID-19 crisis
Offers mental health support services
• 0915-541-5501 Facebook page
• 0928-832-6372  
Western Visayas Psychosocial Support for COVID-
• slusunflower@slu.edu.ph 19
• The De La Salle University Dasmarinas Center for Offers psychosocial support services
Applied Psychology
• 0935-751-9227 Facebook page
 
• 0919-499-8381
• Psycore Neuro Testing Center (Isabela)
• Offers telepsychology services
• 0977-288-4563
• MINDANAO
• Camp Navarro General Hospital, Health Service The HOFFEN CLINIC (Center for Mental Health
and Psychosocial Development) 
Center, Health Service Command AFP 
Adventist Hospital Davao
• Offers telepsychology services in Calarian, 0951815 HOPE (0951-815-4673)
Zamboanga City (082)-297-2761 loc 269
• Viber: 0917-305-1891 Facebook: 
Center for Mental Health and Psychosocial Devel
• 0966-691-6116 opment
centerformentalhealth@adventisthealth-
dvo.com
Psycli-nik psychological assessment and intervention
services 
• NZUE Building 3rd floor, Room 3030 Tomas Claudio
Street, Zamboanga City 
• Offers telepsychology services 
• Viber: 0917-305-1891
• PLDT 955-8103
• Psyclinik06@gmail.com
• lolin_bajin@yahoo.com
• 
• “Under no circumstances should an untrained person attempt to
assess the severity of suicidal risk. All assessment of threats, attempts
or other risk factors must be left to the appropriate professionals i.e.
guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, mental health
therapists, resource coordinators, building administrators, school
doctor, school nurse.”(Suicide Prevention Coalition of Warren and
Clinton Counties, 2010).