MANILA, Philippines - As part of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation’s MINDStRONG mental fitness campaign, this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (Supre Day) will be held on Sept. 9 with various informative and fun activities. This is the second Supre Day is supported by the Quezon City government led by Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, with the participation of the Departments of Health, Education and Social Welfare and Development.
More schools have signed on for this year’s observance, including the University of the Philippines, Miriam College and Ateneo de manila University.
A kick-off event and fun run will be held at 6 a.m. at the UP-Diliman Academic Oval, to be followed by a lecture series entitled “Taming the Demons in Our Midst: Finding Healing from Bullying and Depression” from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Lectures include “Caring for the Bullies and the Bullied: Turning Our Schools into Peace Zones” by Dr. Violeta Bautista; “Conquering Our Low Moods: Creating Natural Highs in Life” by Dr. Jerry Jurisprudencia; and “Nurturing Resilience: From Healing to Wellness and Wholeness” by Dr. Peachy Mendoza.
Various activities will also be held at Liwasang Aurora, Quezon City Memorial Circle. At 1 p.m. a healing mass will be held for spiritual well-being. From 2 to 5 p.m., booths at the QC Circle will feature exhibits from various schools, counseling sessions, and more.
The Supre Day 2011 program starts at 5 p.m., highlighted by a candle lighting ceremony and candlelight memorial walk to remember friends and loved ones lost to suicide.
Supre Day ends with a concert in celebration of life featuring 8 Track, Morisette Amon, Christopher Ong, Miriam San Miguel, and more.
Supre Day Philippines is held ahead of its international observance on Sept. 10. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for all ages. With suicide rates increasing, especially among the youth, the Supre Day celebration aims to increase national awareness about depression and suicide, advocate mental health issues and assist survivors of suicide loss.
For more information, call NGF at 897-2217, email ngfoundation@gmail.com, or visit www.ngf-hope.org.