Suicide prevention begins with listening, understanding and support

MANILA, Philippines — “A thought about death does not always mean a wish to die.”

The Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) pointed this out Wednesday, Sept. 9, the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, which is observed every Sept. 10 to promote awareness that suicide can be prevented.

“Suicide prevention can begin before crisis,” it said. “Sometimes, it begins by becoming more willing and more able to notice, to understand, and to talk about difficult thoughts.”

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From 2024 to 2026, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has highlighted the need to change the narrative on suicide, calling on people to “start conversations.”

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The IASP said suicide is a critical public health concern with “far-reaching social, emotional and economic consequences,” with an estimated 727,000 people dying by suicide worldwide each year.

READ: Suicide cases in NCR more than double in first 3 months of 2026 — NCRPO

Based on the latest available data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), 3,315 Filipinos died of intentional self-harm in 2025, higher than the 3,067 deaths recorded in 2024.

Intentional self-harm killed 4,498 people in the Philippines in 2021, at the height of the Covid-19 crisis that claimed thousands of lives while bringing economic and social activities to a standstill.

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The next two years saw a decline in suicide deaths, to 3,132 in 2022 and 3,133 in 2023.

From January to February this year, the PSA recorded 194 deaths.

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No more silence

For the IASP, changing the narrative on suicide starts with understanding the complexity of the issue and “shifting from a culture of silence towards one of openness, empathy and support.”

“As we reach the final year of this theme, the priority is to build on three years of these conversations, to break down barriers, raise awareness and strengthen cultures of understanding and support that continue beyond 2026,” it said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that while suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds in the Philippines, the latest data show that some groups bear a greater burden than others.

More than 80% of the more than 3,000 suicide deaths in 2022 were among men, while around 42% occurred among young people ages 15 to 29.

READ: 1 of 5 young Filipinos have considered suicide – UP survey

“Evidence suggests that social norms, stigma around help-seeking, and limited access to timely mental health care can make it harder for people to get the support they need,” the WHO said.

The WHO pointed out that understanding who is most affected can help shape more targeted prevention initiatives — from promoting life skills and emotional well-being among young people to strengthening community-based mental health services, early identification and access to care.

Ask, listen, stay

PAP called on everyone to make it easier for people to talk about thoughts that can be difficult to put into words.

“A thought about death does not always mean a wish to die. A wish to disappear does not always tell us what a person means. And someone thinking about suicide may not always say it directly,” it said.

“We don’t have to rush to conclusions,” it stressed. “We can become curious about what a thought means, listen without judgment, ask what we need to know, and connect someone to support when it’s needed.”

PAP said starting a conversation does not mean having all the answers.

“Sometimes, it simply means being willing to ask, listen, and stay.”

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“Suicide prevention is not one conversation, one intervention, or one person’s responsibility. It can happen in the everyday moments when someone feels seen, supported, and less alone,” it said. /dm

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)

Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.