Republic of the Philippines
State Universities and Colleges
GUIMARAS STATE UNIVERSITY
McLain, Buenavista, Guimaras
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Master of Education Major in Social Science
(Hand-outs in SSci 219 Sociology of Deviant Behavior)
School Year: 2nd Semester S.Y. 2023-2024
PSYCHE D. FADRIGO
Reporters
WILFREDO N. MUHAT, PhD.
Professor
Topic: Suicide
SUICIDE
Suicide means ending your own life. It is sometimes a way for people to escape pain
or suffering. When someone ends their own life, we say that they "died by suicide." A
"suicide attempt" means that someone tried to end their life but did not die.
Suicide remains one of the most pressing public health problems in the world. It is
estimated that about 700,000 individuals annually commit suicide (WHO, 2021). In
2019, suicide was noted as the fourth leading cause of death among individuals 15–
29 year-olds across the globe. More than half of global suicide cases (77 %)
occurred in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2021). In the Philippines, the
rate of suicide was 2.5 per 100,000 population in 2019 (Department of Health, 2019).
Why are suicide rates increasing?
Underdiagnosis of mental health conditions, structural barriers to care, stereotypes
and discrimination associated with poor mental health, racism and discrimination,
and disparities in the use of mental health services may all contribute to rising
suicide rates among people of color.
Republic of the Philippines
State Universities and Colleges
GUIMARAS STATE UNIVERSITY
McLain, Buenavista, Guimaras
In 2013, more than 574,000 or 3% of Filipino youth ever tried ending their life. In
2021, the percentage rose to 7.5%, equivalent to almost 1.5 million youth with such
experience.
Unfortunately, six in 10 of those who ever thought of committing suicide did not reach
out to anyone about it. The few who did so mostly sought help from close friends or
peers (25% of suicide ideation), followed by parents/guardians (7%) and other
relatives (5%). Even among those who acted on their suicidal thought, seeking
professional help was highly unpopular (4%). In every 10 young adults, only one is
aware of any suicide prevention program or service.
These alarming findings indicate that today’s youth have poorer mental well-being
than in the last few decades. The reasons for this are many and complex, but as it is,
multiple challenges, including severe understaffing, the cost of consultation and
treatment, and the stigmatization of mental health problems confront mental
healthcare in the country.
Reports reaching rural health units revealed that 95 people in the region committed
suicide in 2023, higher than the 49 cases in 2022. Police stations in six provinces
also logged 204 suicide cases from January to December 2023.
Republic of the Philippines
State Universities and Colleges
GUIMARAS STATE UNIVERSITY
McLain, Buenavista, Guimaras
What increases risk of suicide in depression?
Some things that can put someone at greater risk for attempting suicide include:
Previous suicide attempts. A family history of suicide. Prolonged stress or an
overwhelming personal crisis, such as relationship problems, bullying, a job loss, or
the death of a loved one.
Why is suicide a public health concern?
1. Close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year. Every suicide is a tragedy
that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects
on the people left behind.
2. State that it was the second leading cause of death in 15–29 year-old globally in
2015.
3. Some 78% of global suicides occurred in low- and middle-income countries in
2015.
4. In high-income countries, men are three times more likely to die from suicide than
women. In low- and middle-income countries men are one and a half times more
likely to die from suicide than women.
There are two ways that people with self-harm/suicide access nonspecialized
health settings:
1. As an emergency presentation of self-harm/suicide.
2. During an assessment for other conditions, chronic pain or extreme emotional
distress.
Assessing someone in an emergency state requires that you medically stabilize
them first and ensure their safety before conducting a detailed assessment.
Republic of the Philippines
State Universities and Colleges
GUIMARAS STATE UNIVERSITY
McLain, Buenavista, Guimaras
Risk Factors
1. If the person has previous self-harm/ suicide attempts.
2. Have they experienced losses – personal or financial?
3. Do they use substances?
4. Do they have a family history of suicide?
5. Are they experiencing acute emotional distress – feeling hopeless, helpless,
shame etc.?
6. Are they suffering with chronic pain?
List of protective factors
1. Previous coping strategies – have they felt like this before? If so, how did they
cope, what did they do? What helped them? Will it help them again?
2. Community involvement – are there family members, friends, community
members who can help, listen, and support them?
3. Religious, cultural beliefs – do they have access to spiritual/religious leaders,
important leaders in a community who can support them? Do they have beliefs that
give them hope?
4. Family and social relationships – are there relationships or people in their lives
who give them hope and a sense of having a future?
In case of medically serious acts of self harm/suicide, the person should be put in a
secure and supportive environment in the health-care facility.
Suicide may seem like the only way out. But in the end,
it's not just you that you are hurting but those who love and care about you.
It takes strength and power but you are so much stronger than you know.
There is a reason you are still here.
