January 2022 was the date when the world was shocked by the news of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst taking her own life by jumping out from her sky-rise apartment in Manhattan, USA. A week earlier, Korean actress Kim Mi Soo also committed suicide.
Just today (August 29), reports confirm that Korean actress Yoo Ju Eun, who made her acting debut with the 2018 Kdrama Big Forest, died by suicide and left a heartbreaking suicide note for her family and fans.
In the note, the actress wrote: “My mind is screaming that I don't want to live anymore.”
Raising the awareness for common people on how to simply reach out to people suffering mental health disorders is one, if not the best, intervention that can be undertaken to help gradually deter the alarming increase of suicide cases. Take for instance, someone I know suffering with depression said that it only takes us to give some time to listen to what they have to say, and nothing else. The resort that we can give to them to enable them to vent out what goes through in their minds is a great help to those who are battling this seemingly invisible killer.
WHO recommends four key interventions which include restricting access to means, helping young people develop skills to cope with life’s pressures, early identification and management of people who are thinking about suicide or who have made a suicide attempt, keeping follow-up contact in the short and longer-term, and working with the media to ensure responsible reporting of suicide.
For those who are struggling with various mental health problems, there are many interventions available for you to reach out to such as Hopeline PH which is open 24/7 through hotline numbers 804-HOPE (4673),
0917-558-HOPE (4673), and 2919 (For Globe and TM Subscribers).
Let me quote the World Health Organization on this helpful insights intended for those battling depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental health issues:
· If you are struggling, take 40 seconds to kickstart a conversation with someone you trust about how you are feeling.
· If you know someone who has lost a loved one to suicide, take 40 seconds to start a conversation and ask them how they are doing.
· If you work in media, highlight the 40-second statistic in interviews, articles and blogposts.
· If you work in the arts or on digital platforms, interrupt your production or broadcast to transmit a 40-second message about mental health or preventing suicide.
· If you are an employer or manager, take 40 seconds to formulate a positive message of support to your employees about resources available to them in the workplace or local community in times of mental distress.
· If you want your leaders to hear your request for action, record a 40-second audio clip or video telling them the action you want them to take on suicide prevention and mental health.
· If you have a platform for communicating with a large audience (social media, television, radio), provide 40-second slots for sharing mental health stories and messages.
· If you hold political office, communicate publicly about action you are taking to promote mental health and prevent suicide, highlighting the 40-second statistic.