Baguio suicide cases alarming

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – I was scrawling my cellphone last week when I saw an FB post of a young lady standing at the edge of the Y-shaped overpass along Magsaysay Road here. She spread her arms, moved backwards and made her body fall down the road.
    A police report said the victim was a Grade 10 student, native of Bakun. Benguet and residing in nearby Ambiong, La Trinidad, Benguet.
    She was rushed to the Baguio General Hospital where she fought for her life but died a few days later.
    The report said she apparently committed suicide. A few days later, another FB post said another student staying in a college dorm here also tried to commit suicide but survived.       
   ***
Following these, local health and mental health experts in a press briefing bared suicide cases in the city were alarming. They attributed these to increase in mental health issues among adolescents mainly due to exposure to social media and aggravating factors.
     Ricky Ducas, Jr., mental health program coordinator of the City health Services office, said suicide cases increased during the Covid-19 pandemic due to mental health issues triggered by enforced lockdowns that forced them to be isolated in their homes.
   ***
CHSO data revealed 19 suicide cases reported in 2019 before increasing to 30 cases in 2020 or during implementation of community quarantine restrictions.
    Suicide cases increased to 37 in 2021 before slightly dropping to 33 last year.
    This 2023, Ducas reported six suicide cases, three males and three females, compared to 12 suicide cases first quarter of 2022.
    The mental health program coordinator said figures were based on family members and relatives that processed death certificates of their loved ones who allegedly committed suicide.
    Age range of suicide victims was15 to 29 years old or mostly adolescent period as the same was the stage of transition from childhood to adulthood.
   ***
Exposure of people to social media, Ducas said, was one of primary triggering factors of suicide cases documented in the city as the same could either make or break emotions due to posts in various platforms.
He advised parents to be observant of their children’s behavior to prevent attempts to commit suicide.
    Ducas said parents had a great role in the way they think, feel and act in addressing such situations like being able to immediately seek advice from experts to prevent incidents.
   ***
Worldwide data showed more than 700,000 suicide incidents recorded in countries worldwide with most traced to mental issues.
    According to experts, mental issues were prevalent among females while males were prone to commit suicide.
    A report from the Press Information Office if City Hall said concerned government agencies and the local government were now assessing solutions to prevent increase in suicide cases in the city and ensure mental health issues being encountered by the youth and adults.
   ***
Meanwhile, Dr. Mary Sito, Medical officer IV of the Cordillera office of the Dept. of Education, disclosed symptoms for potential suicide victims could be classified as cognitive, emotional, physical and behavioral where either one or two of the same must be present in an individual to make him a potential suicide case.
    Cognitive symptoms of potential suicide victims included inability to concentrate, poor judgement, seeing only the negative and constant worrying.
    Sito added emotional symptoms included general unhappiness or depression, irritability or mood changes, loneliness or isolation.
    Behavioral symptoms were eating more or eating less, sleeping more or sleeping less and withdrawing from others.
   ***
Dr. Rufina Calub-Abul, head of Nursing Department of Nursing of St. Louis University, meanwhile said common stressor of suicide was intolerable psychological pain or psych ache. Common cause of the same was frustrated psychological need which affects cognition of potential suicide victims leading to eventual commission of the suicide as it is the only remedy they could find to ease the pain.
    Around 80 percent of suicide victims, Abul added, actually communicate the act so is important is for people to listen to them on what their problems were.
    Other symptoms of potential suicide victims are  giving away of their valuables such as jewelry, loss of appetite for previously enjoyed activities, always sleeping, being suddenly happy or sometimes the opposite, thus, the need for people to be sensitive about said indicators.
    Dr. Ducas, Jr., added other symptoms of potential suicide victims was involvement in risky behavior such as extreme sports and sexual activities.
    In schools, Sito said warning signs for suicidal tendencies include habitual absences of the students in their classes and sleeping too much.
    These, he said, must be given attention not only by their parents and guardians but also their teachers and school officials. Be forewarned, experts said.

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Baguio City suicide cases up by 60 %

BAGUIO CITY -- Local health authorities said suicide cases in the city increased by as much as sixty percent during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period.
    Dr. Khecy Colas, medical officer of the City Health Services Office, said 59 suicide cases were documented from 2017 to 2019 or the pre-pandemic period which rose to some 95 cases from 2020-2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    She said top five mental issues that were given attention by the CHSO mental health unit included depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and personality disorder.
    The medical officer said the CHSO mental health unit is always open to provide counseling to clients for them to be assessed and evaluated by experts and provide them with the necessary guidance on how to address their situation.
    According to her, the 16 district health centers also refer their clients experiencing mental health issues to the mental health unit for further assessment and evaluation. That is why individuals experiencing mental health issues should immediately seek appropriate attention with the experts.
    After the conduct of the assessment and evaluation of the status of the individuals seeking advice from the said unit, Colas revealed that these individuals will be subjected to counseling for them to be provided with the appropriate advice on how to go about their situation.
    Among the other services offered by the mental health unit include lectures and other related activities on mental health awareness undertaken by the capable personnel.
    Aside from the CHSO, other partner agencies implementing the city’s mental health and wellness program include the Baguio City Emergency Medical Services, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) and the Benguet General Hospital, complimented by other partners in the private sector.
    Colas said the CHSO also tapped services of peer support groups who have earlier volunteered to extend the needed assistance in the implementation of the city’s mental health awareness programs to address the evident increase in mental health issues.
    She said counseling services being provided by the health department are free , that is why individuals suffering from mental health issues should immediately seek the appropriate attention and counseling from the district health centers nearest to them for them to be provided with the proper advice. -- Dexter A. See

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Baguio students take own lives; cops probe as suicide cases go up

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY — Authorities here are investigating separate cases of reported suicide of two students among others in this summer capital.
    The latest victims were identified as Patrick Angelo Gonzales Oreta, a native of Nueva Ecija and Arjay Caluza Madayag, a student and a tattoo artist.
    According to nearby Tuba, Benguet police, Oreta sent a note before his alleged suicide to his mother and on 28 May, his body was found at Barangay Yagyagan, of the town by a resident there.
    Oreta was said to have a gunshot wound on his body.
    Police disclosed the other victim sent a video message to his live-in partner about his plan to take his own life and was later found lifeless at the first floor of the boarding house he was living by one of his board mates afternoon of May 30.
    The Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) recently reported an increase in suicide incidents in the Summer Capital in 2021, and majority of those who committed suicide were males.
    City Health Services officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said their mental health program recorded a total of 37 suicide incidents involving 32 males and five females.
    Nurse Ricky Ducas, mental health responder and coordinator of the program, said the 2021 number represents a 23 percent increase from the 30 suicide cases in 2020.
    "The increase in our suicide cases is alarming and the upturn in male suicide mostly belonging to the young adult age group is staggering," Ducas said.
    Ducas said young adults were vulnerable to suicide as their developmental milestones on love and belonging were rooted in their peers and the community. The CHSO also noted rampant reports of deliberate self-harm among the youth, and assessments showed links to dysfunctional family conditions and exhaustion from the pandemic.
    Mental health experts explained these were parasuicide type of self-directed violence where the patients' intention was not really to take their own lives.
    Ducas said, on the whole, there was an increase in the number of common mental health concerns in 2021, particularly depression, anxiety and psychosis.
    He said most of those diagnosed with said mental health problems under the CHSO's mental health program belonged to the younger age groups followed by the working-age category.
    There was also a noted increase in patients who sought professional help as compared to the previous year because people now tend to be more open about their mental health issues.
    To help address the problem, the city's mental health program will step up its service to provide free assistance to individuals seeking consultations, basic medications and other interventions. This is on top of the health and wellness program information-education-communication strategies regularly conducted for the public. – With a report from Dexter See
 

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Baguio City posts 37 suicide cases; 32 males

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio City Health Services Office reported an increase in suicide incidents in the city in 2021 and majority of those who committed suicide were males.
    City Health Services Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said their mental health program recorded a total of 37 suicide incidents involving 32 males and 5 females.  Ages ranged from 10 to 70 and above years.
     Of the 37, four were not residents of the city.
    Nurse I Ricky Ducas, mental health responder and coordinator of the program said the 2021 number represents a 23 percent increase from that of 2020 when the city listed a total of 30 cases.  In 2019, there were 27 cases recorded.
     “The increase in our suicide cases is alarming and the upturn in male suicide mostly belonging to the young adult age group is staggering,” Ducas said.
     Ducas said young adults are among the most vulnerable to suicide as their developmental milestones on love and belonging are rooted on their peers and the community.
    The CHSO also noted rampant reports of deliberate self-harm among the youth and assessments showed links to dysfunctional family condition and exhaustion from the pandemic.
    Mental health experts explained that these are the parasuicidal type of self-directed violence where the patients’ intention was not really to take their own lives.
    Ducas said on the whole, there was an increase in the number of common mental health concerns in 2021 particularly depression, anxiety and psychosis.
    He said most of those diagnosed with said mental health problems under the CHSO’s mental health program belonged to the younger age groups followed by the working age category.
    There was also a noted increase in patients who sought professional help as compared in the previous year because people now tend to be more open about their mental health issues especially the youth but the challenge remains to be that their parents and elders tend to discount the mental health problems.
    “Minsan pumupunta ang bata na mag-isa to seek help at kapag tinanong asan ang guardian for consent, sinasabhan daw kasi ng mga parents or support system na gawa-gawa lang nila or napapanood lang nila or worst is nasabihan sila na ano dapat ikaka-depress eh binigay naman pangangailangan at nakakakain naman sila,” Ducas said.
    He said another growing concern is the fact that persons undergoing mental health issues turn to alcohol use as their coping mechanism and this poses another problem as this can lead to abuse and other health issues.
    To help address the problem, the city’s mental health program will step up its service to provide free assistance to individuals seeking consultations, basic medications and other interventions.  This is on top of the health and wellness program information-education-communication (IEC) strategies regularly conducted for the public.
    As part of the strategies on the early detection of mental disorders among individuals, the CHSO made available a helpline that could be immediately contacted by people suffering from mental disorders open from 8am to 5pm: 09190696361.
    Beyond said hours, people can reach the National Center for Mental Health 24/7 hotlines: 09178998727; 09663514518; 09086392672.
    The city’s mental program works in partnership with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Psychiatry Department, Baguio Emergency Medical Service, Baguio City Police Office, the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development and the and the Mental Health Council. 
 

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Summer capital suicide rate up with 37 cases

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio City Health Services Office has reported an increase in suicide incidents in the city in 2021 and majority of those who committed suicide were males.
    City Health Services Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said their mental health program recorded a total of 37 suicide incidents involving 32 males and 5 females.
    Nurse I Ricky Ducas, mental health responder and coordinator of the program said the 2021 number represents a 23 percent increase from that of 2020 when the city listed a total of 30 cases.
    “The increase in our suicide cases is alarming and the upturn in male suicide mostly belonging to the young adult age group is staggering,” Ducas said.
    Ducas said young adults are among the most vulnerable to suicide as their developmental milestones on love and belonging are rooted on their peers and the community.
    The CHSO also noted rampant reports of deliberate self-harm among the youth and assessments showed links to dysfunctional family condition and exhaustion from the pandemic.
    Mental health experts said these are the parasuicidal type of self-directed violence where the patients’ intention was not really to take their own lives.
    Ducas said on the whole, there was an increase in the number of common mental health concerns in 2021 particularly depression, anxiety and psychosis.
    He said most of those diagnosed with said mental health problems under the CHSO’s mental health program belonged to the younger age groups followed by the working age category.
    There was also a noted increase in patients who sought professional help as compared in the previous year because people now tend to be more open about their mental health issues especially the youth but the challenge remains to be that their parents and elders tend to discount the mental health problems. 
    “Minsan pumupunta ang bata na mag-isa to seek help at kapag tinanong asan ang guardian for consent, sinasabhan daw kasi ng mga parents or support system na gawa-gawa lang nila or napapanood lang nila or worst is nasabihan sila na ano dapat ikaka-depress eh binigay naman pangangailangan at nakakakain naman sila,” Ducas said.
    He said another growing concern is the fact that persons undergoing mental health issues turn to alcohol use as their coping mechanism and this poses another problem as this can lead to abuse and other health issues.
    To help address the problem, the city’s mental health program will step up its service to provide free assistance to individuals seeking consultations, basic medications and other interventions.  This is on top of the health and wellness program information-education-communication (IEC) strategies regularly conducted for the public.
    As part of the strategies on the early detection of mental disorders among individuals, the CHSO made available a helpline that could be immediately contacted by people suffering from mental disorders open from 8am to 5pm: 09190696361.
    Beyond said hours, people can reach the National Center for Mental Health 24/7 hotlines: 09178998727; 09663514518; 09086392672.
    The city’s mental program works in partnership with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Psychiatry Department, Baguio Emergency Medical Service, Baguio City Police Office, the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development and Mental Health Council.

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Ilocos SK treasurer, 22 hangs self dead

By Mar T. Supnad

CAOAYAN, Ilocos Sur -- A Sangguniang Kabataan treasurer of this town reportedly committed suicide by hanging herself night of Nov. 14 here in Barangay Manangat.
    Police reported the victim identified as Hannah Isabel Reotita y Irorita, 22, single, SK treasurer and resident of said place, was lifeless when they rushed her to a hospital for treatment.
    Investigation gathered by Caoayan police showed the victim was seen by her brother, Paul Axle Reotita already hanging beside the door of her room with a nylon cord tied to her neck.
    They immediately rushed her to Ilocos Sur Provincial Hospital- Gabriela Silang, Tamag, Vigan City.
    However, Dr. Mark Cuevas, attending physician declared her dead on arrival at about 6:28 p.m. that day.
Police gathered the victim allegedly had a problem regarding her work as SK treasurer.
    It was not known if there was money involved in the incident, she being a treasurer.

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Baguio suicide rate up with 26 since Jan

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – Advocates of mental health continue to drum up the campaign for "zero suicide" as more cases were logged here.
    Ricky Ducas, mental health nurse and responder at the City Health Services Office, who founded the psycho-social support group Baguio and the Anxiety and Depression Support Group-Baguio City, said on Wednesday they have already recorded 26 cases of suicide here from January to end August this year.
    "The most recent was logged on October 25," he said. "We hope we won't have others more on the list."
    In 2020, the mental health clinic of the CHSO recorded 30 suicide cases. He said most of those who committed suicide were from ages 15 to 35 years old.
    He said the most common trigger known to cause a person to end his/her life is the big change in the pandemic lifestyle, environment, and exhaustion with the kind of situation the world is into right now.
    "Wearing a (face) mask can (also) cause an impact emotionally and mentally," he said.
    Ducas said they are spreading the information where individuals who need psycho-social help can go or contact them.
    He said the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) receives thousands of texts, emails, and calls asking for time to have "talk therapy".
    Baguio's mental health helpline managed by Ducas gets an average of five calls a day aside from the text messages and private messages sent to its social media page.
    "They have different cases and different needs but common to them is a desire to talk to someone," he said.
    Ducas said they see something positive that many are coming forward and opening their communication lines to mental health professionals who can really help.
    "Suicide can be prevented. Mental illness can be cured and not all individuals who seek psychiatric, psychological, or mental health support means they have a mental illness. The best doctor of our thoughts and thinking process are psychiatrists and psychologists and other health professionals, so ask for help," he said.
    He added that as people seek medical help for physical problems, mental problems can also be handled by doctors.
    Ducas said mental health is not seasonal, "it should be made part of our culture where aside from having a physical check-up, there should also be a mental check-up". – PNA

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Baguio suicide rate up with 26 since Jan.

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – Advocates of mental health continue to drum up the campaign for "zero suicide" as more cases were logged here.
    Ricky Ducas, mental health nurse and responder at the City Health Services Office, who founded the psycho-social support group Baguio and the Anxiety and Depression Support Group-Baguio City, said on Wednesday they have already recorded 26 cases of suicide here from January to end August this year.
    "The most recent was logged on October 25," he said. "We hope we won't have others more on the list."
In 2020, the mental health clinic of the CHSO recorded 30 suicide cases. He said most of those who committed suicide were from ages 15 to 35 years old.
    He said the most common trigger known to cause a person to end his/her life is the big change in the pandemic lifestyle, environment, and exhaustion with the kind of situation the world is into right now.
    "Wearing a (face) mask can (also) cause an impact emotionally and mentally," he said.
    Ducas said they are spreading the information where individuals who need psycho-social help can go or contact them.
    He said the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) receives thousands of texts, emails, and calls asking for time to have "talk therapy".
    Baguio's mental health helpline managed by Ducas gets an average of five calls a day aside from the text messages and private messages sent to its social media page.
    "They have different cases and different needs but common to them is a desire to talk to someone," he said.
    Ducas said they see something positive that many are coming forward and opening their communication lines to mental health professionals who can really help.
    "Suicide can be prevented. Mental illness can be cured and not all individuals who seek psychiatric, psychological, or mental health support means they have a mental illness. The best doctor of our thoughts and thinking process are psychiatrists and psychologists and other health professionals, so ask for help," he said.
    He added that as people seek medical help for physical problems, mental problems can also be handled by doctors.
Ducas said mental health is not seasonal, "it should be made part of our culture where aside from having a physical check-up, there should also be a mental check-up". -- PNA
 

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Tabuk dengue cases now 305

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga – Dengue cases in this city have increased by 79 percent   from January-September this year with 205   compared to 114 in the same period last year.

The City Health Office noted more than half of the cases were recorded in the months of July, August and September. 

The CHO had alerted residents to launch intensified prevention against rain-borne diseases as typhoid fever cases also spiked to 305 from 243, last year.

But cases of flu dropped by 29% for the period, the CHO reported.  

With this, barangays through the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT) are directed to spearhead massive community action and monitoring.

Health should always be a top concern now that we gear to the new normal, the CHO stated. (LL-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

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Suicide, depression cases rising in Baguio, Benguet

By Gaby Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- A comprehensive mental health care and wellness system will soon be implemented here to address “alarming cases of depression and suicides in the city and neighboring Benguet municipalities.” 

Councilor Joel Alangsab bared this last week. Mayor Benjamin Magalong is reportedly set to sign a city council ordinance, which he co-authored with Sangguniang Kabataan councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales to establish a mental health program that aims to provide cheap if not free medicines and access to amenities for the affected sector.
    Records from the City Health Services Office, under Dr. Rowena Galpo, showed that the city had a total of 30 suicide cases in 2020 and 28 in 2019.

Both figures were almost double of the number of cases in 2018 at 16 cases.

This year, two cases had already been recorded.

“We had 14 confirmed cases of suicide from January to August 2020 alone — 12 adults and two minors.

One case involved a 64-year old man, who believed he had contracted the coronavirus disease but was found to be negative,” Alangsab said, adding two of the cases involved a prominent person and a youth leader.

Alangsab said through the ordinance, the city government wants people with mental problems to realize that they are not helpless.

The measure, which had been approved on final reading by the city council, is one of the very few statutes its kind, enacted in the country pursuant to Republic Act No. 11036 or the “Mental Health Act.”

Under the measure, a Baguio Mental Health Council will be created to serve as advisory body to the city council and as policymaking body for the crafting of a comprehensive mental health care and wellness system.

The ordinance also seeks protect and to promote the right to health of the people and to be given sufficient, adequate, proper and timely mental illness prevention and treatment. It is also to maintain the psychological, psychiatric and neurological stability of citizens.

It will apply to all persons regardless of age, sex, religion and such other distinctions who are in need of psychiatric, neurologic and psychosocial health services.

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Death of kid in BSU compound shrouded in mystery; PNP mum

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The death of a “depressed” 13-year-old kid at the back of the Benguet State University compound here last week is shrouded in mystery.
    The kid allegedly hanged himself in their home at Sitio Tabangaoen, according to a television report.
    Neighbors however said the kid’s body was found at a secluded bushy area some meters from their house exactly in the place where a gay man was killed last year.
    The latter case is still unsolved.
    In the case of the kid, neighbors said police were reportedly not informed before the 13-year-old’s body was taken from the area.
    The kid’s mother is reportedly working in Hongkong and he was reportedly having problems answering his school modules.
    The kid is living with his father.
    Police have yet to make a statement on the matter. 
    Another teen allegedly also committed suicide in this capital town after having struggled with distance learning, depression and feelings of helplessness made worse by movement restrictions. 
    Following this, Mayor Romeo Salda urged town folks to be a "supportive community" for youth who may be having a hard time coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.
    "I understand the suffering you may be experiencing," Salda said in a message to the youth of the town. "But in experiencing these, remember that you are not alone."
    He added that "the brighter side to being human is the capability of being and doing much, much more" as he urged teens not to lose hope.
    "Believe that a day of profound love, laughter and a diploma will soon come, since it always surely does," the town mayor said.
    He urged parents to always communicate with their children and should always find time with their children.
    He said parents should “to reach out and know the warning signs and once spotted, they should swiftly act.”
    La Trinidad has set up hotlines 09178592657 and 09103436595 should anyone need help.
    The Dept. of Health said the pandemic can affect mental health saying those who feel sad or worried during the coronavirus pandemic are not alone.
    DOH suggested going on "brain breaks" like getting in touch with family or friends through text messaging, phone calls, or online chat. It says it is important to stay connected with others despite the restrictions on movement due to the pandemic.
    "You can talk to them about what you are experiencing," the DOH said.
    It also suggested exercise and doing things that make
people happy or make them relax.
    The DOH urges people seeking professional support to get in touch with the National Center for Mental Health hotlines at 0917-899-USAP (8727) or 899-USAP (8727); or its Mind Matters hotline at 09189424864.

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