ILOILO – Alarming. This was how Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member Matt Palabrica described the rising number of suicide cases in the province involving youngsters. He cited recent cases: a nine-year-old in the 4th District, an 18-year-old and another teenaged boy in Cabatuan and Calinog towns in the 3rd District.
Of the 179 cases of suicide that the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded from 2016 to June 2019, 35 involved young people between nine to 21 years old, said Palabrica.
The most common methods of suicide resorted to were hanging, chemical poisoning, shooting with a gun, and even willful drowning, he added.
What drove these young people to kill themselves?
Palabrica said the most common reasons were likely problems in the family, love life, school, and money.
He appealed for collective action from the provincial government, school and health authorities, and the police, among others.
The World Heal Organization (WHO) considers suicide “a serious public health problem” but preventable with timely, evidence-based interventions.
In 2016, according to Palabrica, the municipality of Leon had the most number of suicides (five), followed by Lambunao (four), said Palabrica. There were also suicides in Passi City, Pototan, Tigbauan, Igbaras, Lemery, Estancia, and San Dionisio.
In 2017, Passi City, Oton, Miag-ao, and Lambunao had the most number of suicides (four each), IPPO data showed. Said Palabrica.
Since 2018, there have been around 100 “recorded suicides across all ages” with the town of Leon having the most number of cases (nine), followed by Cabatuan (six), Passi City (six), Badiangan (five), Alimodian (four), Anilao (four), Dingle (four), Igbaras (four), Lambunao (four), Miag-ao (four), and San Joaquin (four).
BEYOND STATISTICS
But this statistics from the police is not enough, said Palabrica.
Detailed information about the suicides, most especially among the youth, is needed, he said, to get a clearer picture so that appropriate interventions “targeted at the youth” could be introduced “like counseling, youth activities that include sports, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.”
“First there should be data…then, ano ang causes ngaa ga-amo sini mga kabataan subong. Lantawon ang pangabuhi sining mga kabataan, related ayhan ini sa kapigaduhon, sa impluwensya sang droga, sang influence sang peers, even sang social media,” said Palabrica, chairperson of the Provincial Board’s Committee on Accounts and General Services and Human Resources.
He appealed for “purposeful action to prevent more suicides, especially among the youth” and urged the provincial government to be “in the forefront of this effort.”
“We have to do this now and not later. The life saved through our intervention may be that of a loved one,” said Palabrica.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year close to 800,000 people take their own lives and there are many more people who attempt suicide.
Suicide was the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds globally in 2016, according to WHO.
While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is well established in high-income countries, WHO said 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, according to WHO.
Suicide rates are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) persons; and prisoners.
By far the strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt, according to WHO.
It also lamented the stigma particularly surrounding mental disorders and suicide. It means, it said, that many people thinking of taking their own lives or who have attempted suicide are not seeking help and are therefore not getting the help they need.
LACK OF AWARENESS
“The prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due to a lack of awareness of suicide as a major public health problem and the taboo in many societies to openly discuss it,” according to WHO.
There are a number of measures that can be taken at population, sub-population and individual levels to prevent suicide and suicide attempts. WHO listed the following:
* reducing access to the means of suicide (e.g. pesticides, firearms, certain medications)
* reporting by media in a responsible way
* school-based interventions
* introducing alcohol policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol
* early identification, treatment and care of people with mental and substance use disorders, chronic pain and acute emotional distress
* training of non-specialized health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behavior
* follow-up care for people who attempted suicide and provision of community support
“Suicide is a complex issue and therefore suicide prevention efforts require coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society, including the health sector and other sectors such as education, labor, agriculture, business, justice, law, defense, politics, and the media. These efforts must be comprehensive and integrated as no single approach alone can make an impact on an issue as complex as suicide,” according to WHO./PN
