by: ALEHIA THERESE ABUAN
Did you know that one in every 100 deaths worldwide is the result of suicide?
It can affect every one of us. Each and every suicide is devastating and has a profound impact on those around them.
For this reason, the Philippines is observing today World Suicide Prevention Day.
By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action, the country hopes to reduce instances of suicide around among Filipinos.
World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on September 10 every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003.
It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide and to promote action through proven means that will reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally.
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| Dr. Dean Zenarosa |
Philippine Information Agency's Health and Wellness consultant Dr. Dean Zenarosa said suicide rate in the Philippines have increased by 57% in the pandemic year.
"According to the Philippine Statistics Authority compared to the preceding year, suicide became the 25th leading cause of death in 2020," Doc Dean said.
This underscores the importance of having a national multi-sectoral approach to increase awareness about suicidal behaviours and how to effectively prevent them.
A campaign release by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) said that suicide has a number of complex and interrelated and underlying contributing factors, that "can contribute to the feelings of pain and hopelessness."
Having access to means to kill oneself – most typically firearms, medicines and poisons – is also a risk factor.
An estimated one million people per year die by suicide or about one person in 10,000 (1.4% of all deaths), or "a death every 40 seconds or about 3,000 every day". As of 2004 the number of people who die by suicide is expected to reach 1.5 million per year by 2020.
According to the World Health Organization, more people die from suicide than from murder and war and accounts for nearly half of all violent deaths in the world.
Suicide is the 13th leading cause of death worldwide, and there are 20 people who have a suicide attempt for every one that is fatal, at a rate approximately one every three seconds.
It is also the "most common cause of death for people aged 15 – 24."
It is also the "most common cause of death for people aged 15 – 24."
"If you know someone who is struggling and has a silent battle with themselves; let them feel that they are not alone," Doc Dean said.
"You are not alone, call 0917-899-USAP (8727)," he shared.
We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide. (PIA-NCR)
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