Brothers and sisters, an issue we barely discuss or even avoid discussing altogether is death by suicide. We usually hear of this issue in the news, like in America where famous celebrities decide to end their lives. In the Philippines, this was also in the news recently when a popular musician recorded live on social media a video of his suicide from a tall building.
According to a 2015 survey by the World Health Organization, 11.6 percent of students from 13 to 17 years old mentioned suicidal thoughts have crossed their minds. What is worrisome was that 16.8 percent of these students attempted to commit suicide.
At the Philippine General Hospital’s emergency room, for example, almost every day doctors attend to patients who attempted to end their lives. Eight out of 10 child psychiatrists in the Philippines have noticed that the number of children-patients having suicidal tendencies is rising.
Depression is one of the reasons why people commit suicide. And this is what the 2018 Mental Health Law, as well as the National Crisis Hotline that opened in March under the care of the National Center for Mental Health of the Department of Health, seek to address. The government wants to help those who are experiencing mental health conditions through counseling and psychiatric emergencies to prevent suicide attempts.
Our Holy Church has not remained deaf on the need to give attention to the rise in suicide attempts. This is proven by the recently released pastoral letter by our bishops where we are reminded that in the face of joy brought by Easter, there is the sorrow and suffering of Jesus every Black Friday. This proves that we are not alone in our mourning. Our bishops also added that one’s greatness or repute is not measured by his/her escape from the world full of suffering; it relies on his/her perseverance to face life’s challenges.
We are encouraged by the Church to help our brothers and sisters who are confused or suffering from depression. Members of the family can all help prevent deaths by suicide. Parents must listen and give time to their children. Family members must recognize that even the smallest arguments or misunderstandings can affect children.
The role of schools and the government is also important. Schools are encouraged to end bullying and to provide services in guiding children, while the government has the duty to improve and strengthen the programs that prevent people from committing suicide.
We must also recognize the need to ask for help from specialists and experts in mental health. We need help. We have to communicate with the people close to us, those whom we trust, and those who understand what we are going through in life. In our Church, the priests and the religious may not be mental health experts, but they are ready to listen without prejudice.
And lastly, brothers and sisters, we need to cultivate a culture of presence. Instead of judging our struggling fellowmen, we must be open to empathize with them, especially in moments when they forget that God Almighty gave them their lives. We all have borrowed lives. As God has said in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Let us help each other find our God of mercy.
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