What drove a 36-year-old entrepreneur from Barangay Lambuyao, Oton, Iloilo to hang himself?
An elder sister believed the man, who operated a computer shop in La Paz district here, became despondent after a hospital turned him away despite showing signs of respiratory infection. Did he suspect it could be the coronavirus disease 2019?
The businessman was found hanging from a bridge in Barangay Polo Maestra Vita, Oton Thursday around 7:35 a.m.
According to Rhona Cencioco Monares, her younger brother went to the West Visayas State University Medical Center in Jaro district on Wednesday to have himself checked.
He wanted to be confined, according to Monares, but he was turned down.
âMy brother became depressed. Gin balibaran sya sang ospital bisan naga-insist sya nga may flu siya. Kun tani buhi sya kun wala gin balibaran. Mahina ang immune system nya,â said Monares.
She urged authorities to investigate her brotherâs case.
Before committing suicide, the young entrepreneur thanked his family and asked for forgiveness on his social media account.
âI have talked to the victimâs wife. She told me they had no misunderstanding when he left home,â according to Police Staff Sergeant Alex Beny Esteves, Oton police station investigator.
The wife confirmed to Esteves that on April 15 they went to the hospital because her husband appeared to have an asthma attack, he had difficulty breathing.
The doctor advised the husband to go home and take his asthma medication, and that there was no need for him to be hospitalized, according to Esteves, quoting the wife.
Wednesdayâs was the husbandâs second asthma attack, said Esteves; the first was in February.
âAmo lang ina gin hambal sang iya asawa,â said Esteves.
The Oton police, though, was not ruling out anything in the investigation, he stressed.
âBasi may madalom pa nga rason. Basi may ginatago pa sya nga iban nga rason, wala lang kita kabalo,â said Esteves.
It appeared, though, he said, that the man came equipped for the suicide. Aside from the rope around his neck, another rope was found inside his car parked near the bridge.
COVID AND STRESS
The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States.
Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger, CDC stressed.
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.
Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, changes in sleep or eating patterns, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Others suffer worsening of chronic health problems and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms.
Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.
Things you can do to support yourself
* Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
* Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
* Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
* Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.
Reduce stress in yourself and others
Sharing the facts about COVID-19 and understanding the actual risk to yourself and people you care about can make an outbreak less stressful.
When you share accurate information about COVID-19 you can help make people feel less stressed and allow you to connect with them. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/PN)
