As study reveals increase in number of Filipinos with suicide tendencies

FOLLOWING a recent study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute that found that 7.5% of Filipino youth had attempted suicide in 2021, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has called for increased psychological assistance and mental health support for Filipinos especially to the youth and those in grassroot communities.

“Alam n’yo, umpisa pa lang ng pandemya, marami na pong nai-ulat na nakaka-experience ng depression… may mga hindi nakayanan ‘yung mahabang quarantine. ‘Yung iba pagdating mula sa ibang bansa, ‘yung mga OFW, nahihirapan rin mag-adjust. Marami rin nawalan ng kabuhayan,” recounted Go.

“Umpisa pa lang ng krisis, talagang maraming apektado. Marami pong na-depress to the point na gusto na mag-suicide. We have to address this issue,” he added.

The UP study also revealed that, between 2013 and 2021, “suicide ideation” among the Filipino youth more than doubled. Suicide ideation is a term used by the World Health Organization to describe “thoughts, wishes, preoccupations, and contemplations with death and suicide.”

To provide Filipinos with better access to mental health interventions and care, Go pointed out that former president Rodrigo Duterte signed during his term Republic Act 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Act.

“Kaya po, mayroon na pong napirmahan si (dating) pangulong Duterte, ‘yung RA 11036 (o ‘yung) Mental Health Act,” shared Go.

The law establishes a national mental health policy directed towards improving the health of the population. It also underscores the basic right of all Filipinos to mental health care while shaping the structural and attitudinal challenges to achieving positive mental health.

Specifically, it aims to provide mental health services at the barangay level, and integrate mental health and wellness programs at the grassroots level so that interventions will be felt by the communities. It also seeks to improve mental health facilities and promote mental health education in schools and workplaces.

“Sinigurado rin natin noong nakaraang taon na magkaroon ng sapat na pondo ang DOH, DSWD at iba pang ahensya para sa mga programang ipinapatupad na konektado sa Mental Health, he added,

Being Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go also asked health authorities to make sure that the government’s programs for mental health are given enough attention and funding in the coming years.

“Ako naman po bilang Committee Chair on Health sa Senado, hinihikayat ko po na magkaroon ng sapat na pondo para sa ating mga mental health programs. Nakatutok rin po ako dito, handa po akong tumulong sa ating mga kababayan na mabigyan po ng importansya, sapat na pondo itong mga mental health programs,” he said.

“Habang nandidiyan pa si COVID, delikado pa rin po ang panahon. Not only sa ating health, but sa mental health. Napaka-importante po na tutukan ito ng ating gobyerno,” reiterated the senator.

Early on, Go had asked the relevant agencies to increase access to free mental health services and psychosocial support, particularly in light of the global health crisis.

“I urge PhilHealth to develop as soon as possible a more comprehensive mental health package that will also include consultation and other outpatient services. For as long as it is viable on the part of PhilHealth, coverage should include a much wider range of mental and behavioral conditions,” he appealed during the budget deliberations on the health budget.

“I also appeal to the Department of Health to make its existing Medicine Access Program for Mental Health more accessible to as many Filipinos in need of mental health medicines. Although the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City continues to cater to mental health patients, we have to make this type of government service available to more people nationwide, especially in rural and far-flung areas,” he added.