A CATHOLIC bishop on Friday, August 1, 2025, lamented the rising number of suicide cases in the Philippines, saying such incidents are not mere deaths but a "national tragedy."
In a radio interview, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos said it is unacceptable that a growing number of Filipinos are taking their own lives.
"Every suicide is a national tragedy that we must work together to prevent,” said Santos.
The statement was issued after the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that nearly 2,000 Filipinos committed suicide in just the first half of 2025.
Most of the cases, the PNP said, involved victims of both physical and online bullying.
PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III said the situation calls for increased mental health awareness in the country.
Santos agreed with Torre, saying there is a need for mental health to enter the "national and spiritual consciousness."
"The suffering of the mind and spirit must be treated with as much compassion and urgency as the wounds of the body,” said the prelate.
He then appealed to the government to take action in addressing the people's mental health concerns.
"Let us respond not only with policies but with compassion… Mental wellness is not a privilege—it is a right," said Santos.
The bishop said the faithful must also do their part in supporting those struggling with mental health issues.
"Saving lives is a mission that belongs to all of us… May we, as a nation, remember that our true healing begins in our willingness to care," said Santos. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)