The Commission on Human Rights joins communities everywhere in commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated annually on 10 September in order to provide people across the world the opportunity to unite together to call for greater awareness towards mental health and methods of suicide prevention.
As we commemorate World Suicide Prevention Day, let us remember the following facts: close to 800,000 people die per year due to suicide, that amounts to 1 person for every 40 seconds. The National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has recorded an increase of suicide-related calls from an average of 33 monthly calls from January to March 2020, to 66 in April, 80 in May, 112 in June and 115 in July. Among the top reasons the callers have cited for calling is due anxiety-related concerns, inquiry regarding hospital services and the need to talk to someone. The concerning increase of suicide-related calls, and the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) that finds nine in ten, or 84%, of Filipinos are stressed due to the coronavirus pandemic makes clear the overwhelming reasons for the increasing cases of suicide: fears of getting sick, economic uncertainty and prolonged social isolation are all taking its toll on mental health. As the government continues to prevent and treat the spread of COVID-19, a mental health pandemic is brewing. This problem compounded by an increasing number of companies shifting towards work from home arrangements and the online delivery of classes. Certain individuals may feel overwhelmed unable to find balance or routine in their life.
Each individual life lost to suicide is a tragic incident that affects the life of families and communities. It represents a lost chance to help an individual whom for so long has been under great difficulty against an oftentimes unforeseen problem. One loss of life to self-harm is one too many; the effects are devastating to the community and may leave lingering questions of what could have been done to help the afflicted that saw suicide as the only viable option out.
There is a case to be made for government policies and social institutions working closely with civil society to help bring greater awareness to the importance of mental health. Recognition of the importance of mental health as a significant factor towards overall individual health is the first step towards ensuring parity of attention is given to both physical and mental health. As we aim for this standard of parity, let us start with ourselves by acknowledging and giving regards to those afflicted with mental health problems.
The Commission notes and lauds the positive strides the Philippine government has accomplished in recent years in ensuring the protection of mental health. The passage of RA 11036 or the Mental Health Law which improves the mental healthcare facilities through the integration of mental health services down to barangays is a positive step towards promoting and protecting mental health. Equally commendable are our medical frontline workers including psychiatrists and counsellors who work tirelessly to bring comfort to those who suffer and the actions taken by the Department of Education (DepEd) to limit screen time for students who will be attending online distance learning (ODL) to prevent stress and burnout.
In bid to promote mental health, the Commission calls upon all members of Philippine society to go beyond offering words of consolation. As we weather this pandemic, let us learn to carry each other’s burdens. If we cannot give consolation, the best we can do is to be there for those who need help. This World Suicide Prevention Day let us offer each other our time, presence and together we shall carry each other’s burden.