SUICIDE prevention is everyone's responsibility. Everyone has to open his or her eyes to accept that suicide is happening to the society. Everyone should take out the stigma and discrimination when it comes to mental health.
Mental health is not bad. Mental health is about us. It is about one’s self-esteem, how one sees self, how one accept themselves. It is how a person treats another person. It is how one handle personal problems and issues in life. It is normal that everyone has problems.
Self-esteem is a person’s confidence in one’s own worth and abilities. Last week, my topic was on self-love. Self-love is having high self-esteem. Self-love is acknowledging that we are excellent in something and accepting that we are not perfect. Self-love should not be abused.
When one is thinking that he or she is the best and has a superior feeling over another person that is not right. Balance is important. Otherwise, there may be a tendency to become narcissistic.
Everyone is worthy. Each one of us was born in the image and likeness of God. All of us are beautiful. We are all unique. But most of the time, people do not see themselves as worthy.
I always remember a mentor who tells us that “you are unique, you are special and you are loved.” I agree. Parents should tell their children that they are loved, special and unique. Again, not to the point of spoiling them or making them think they are better than anyone else.
Most of the time, children who grow up loved can cope better because of the support they get from their parents and loved ones.
There are still people who feel unworthy, to the point of being sad, of feeling helpless and hopeless. They may experience depression and make feel that ending their lives in the best way to end their problems. This is not true. The problems just passed on to other people, the ones who were left behind.
According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention, every year, over 800,000 people die of suicide, this means one death every 40 seconds worldwide. Suicide is the 15th leading cause of death.
The strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt. Having a mental disorder can increase a factor for suicide. However, impulsivity can also play an important role especially after experiencing a life crisis or disasters.
Suicide prevention is when people who care reach out to those who are in need by connecting, communicating and caring.
Connect to the people bereaved by suicide or people who have a suicidal behavior (they usually disconnect themselves to others). Guide them to the support they need – a guidance counselor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a mental health worker.
Communicate with others. Speak openly about suicide to dispel myths about it. Share about mental health in the social media.
Caring is showing that we are there for them, to tell them they are loved. Give them time, listen to them. The government agencies, corporations and other organizations should have suicide prevention activities under the wellness program.
People who feel the end their lives, remember, there is someone who care and understands what you are going through. You are loved!! There is hope.
The Department of Health and the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation has partnered to help save lives via Hopeline 24/7 toll-free number for emotional crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
Please call 02-8044673, 09175584673 and 2919 (for Globe and TM subscribers). They are available to listen to you.
Your school’s guidance office is also there for you. Visit them.
Remember, you are loved! There is hope.
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