Say no to suicide

MANILA, Philippines - The World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10 has for its theme, “Many Faces, Many Places: Suicide Prevention.” It underscores the importance of a combined effort to connect with the rest of the world to offer a broad perspective for suicide prevention.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 3,000 people on average commit suicide daily (one every 40 seconds). For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives. About one million people die by suicide each year.

The Department of Health (DOH) reports that about five people die of suicide every day. The age group with the highest rate of suicide is between 20 to 24 years old. Deaths due to suicide are underreported to avoid socio-cultural stigma, escape police enquiries and legal harassment, and benefit from the insurance sector.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) initiated this annual event, which is supported by WHO. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to raise awareness that suicide is preventable, improve education about suicide, spread information about suicide awareness, and decrease stigma and debunk myths regarding suicide.

For the first time in the Philippines, an active campaign to bring about awareness for suicide prevention will be launched by the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF). The NGF and the DOH will hold a series of support activities namely, “Live Well, Stay Happy: Depression is Treatable, Suicide is Preventable,” a series of seminars on depression awareness and suicide prevention, on Sept. 7 at the University of Makati; Sept. 8 at San Beda College and Sept. 9 at Philippine Normal University; and “Walk and Light for Hope” — a candlelight memorial walk on Sept. 10, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

The event is in partnership with the DOH-NCR and Quezon City, through the leadership of Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte.