DOH raises mental health issues

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The Department of Health has urged family members and friends of people who are attempting to commit suicide to lend their “listening ear” as they need help more than ever.

Dr. Jose Llacuna Jr, DOH regional director, said mental health issues and concerns usually start from bottled emotions that need to be expressed and someone to care. 

“Suicide or even attempts of suicide are desperate attempts for the concerned person to be listened to. Paminawa ko ninyo kay naa koy problema,” Llacuna said during a recent episode of Konsultayo, a health forum hosted by Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Information Agency. 

Llacuna said there is a belief that anyone who goes to a psychiatrist is labeled crazy. "We should be very realistic to meet that expectation nga angay natong tabangan ang kadtong nagkinahanglan,” he said. 

The DOH said it has initiated a capacity training for doctors and nurses in the northern Mindanao region where they can diagnose and provide medicine.

“Naa na ta’y gibuhat nga training kay tungod gamay ra kaayo atong psychiatrist sa tibuok Pilipinas, naa'y gihimo nga programa ang mental health, gitawag natog Mental Health GAP, Global Action Program, gitudluan nato atong mga doctor, nga dili mga espesyalista, nga unsaon pag diagnose og pag manage sa isa ka tao nga naay sakit sa pang huna-huna,” said DOH RN Maria Dolores Mercado. 

The DOH also calls out media personnel who reports suicide news to be very sensitive about the case, Mercado said, as this could affect especially the young ones. “Dili na nato siya ipadako, dili kailangan in detail gyud. Dili siya maayo labi na sa mga batan-on, kay naa siya'y epekto sa ilang ang hunahuna,” she said. 

700,000 die each year 

According to the World Health Organization, over 700 000 people die due to suicide every year. For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population. 

It said suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-old and that 77% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. Ingestion of pesticide, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally, it added. 

Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. Suicide does not just occur in high-income countries, but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world.

Suicide is a serious public health problem; however, suicides are preventable with timely, evidence-based and often low-cost interventions. For national responses to be effective, a comprehensive multi-sectoral suicide prevention strategy is needed. 

While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is well established in high-income countries, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, such as financial problems, relationship break-up or chronic pain and illness. 

In addition, experiencing conflict, disaster, violence, abuse, or loss and a sense of isolation are strongly associated with suicidal behavior. Suicide rates are also high among vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex persons; and prisoners. By far the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt. 

Suicides are preventable. There are a number of measures that can be taken at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. LIVE LIFE, WHO’s approach to suicide prevention, recommends the following key effective evidence-based interventions: Limit access to the means of suicide (such as pesticides, firearms, certain medications); interact with the media for responsible reporting of suicide; foster socio-emotional life skills in adolescents; and early identify, assess, manage and follow up anyone who is affected by suicidal behaviors. (Jasper Marie Rucat, Mindanao Examiner)