Content Warning: The following webinar contains sensitive topics such as suicide and suicidal ideation. Participant discretion is advised.

If you are experiencing thoughts about wanting to harm yourself, please don’t hesitate to contact the nearest hospital with the hotlines we will share in the last slide, or book a confidential session with a Mind You psychologist.

Every 40 seconds, a life is lost to suicide, resulting in about 720,000 deaths each year.¹ This has been a serious health problem that needs addressing. As September is Suicide Prevention Month, the World Health Organization aims to “start a conversation” revolving around stigmas about mental health issues and change the narrative on suicide.²

What are some of these stigmas?

Suicide is selfish. Selfishness is defined as “seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.”. People who commit suicide may actually feel like a burden and usually do not want to put that burden on others. Or they may be focused on relieving immense pain rather than seeking to gain something for their own advantage. Suicide is not an act of selfishness.³
People with mental health conditions are violent. There is a common misconception that people with mental health conditions should be feared because they have a tendency to be violent. On the contrary, research shows that individuals with severe mental illness are three times more likely to be victims of crime (e.g., theft, harassment) and about five times more likely to be assaulted (physical or verbal) compared to those without mental illness.^{4 5}
All young people with suicidal ideations are depressed. While depression can be a contributing factor in most suicides, it does not need to be present for a person to commit suicide.⁶
You can’t do anything for a person with a mental health condition. Family and friends play an important role in helping someone with a mental health issue. Studies show that positive social interactions can help reduce anxiety and foster a sense of security.⁷
Talking about suicide encourages someone to commit the act. Talking about it opens an opportunity for communication. A carefully managed conversation in which the person is able to open up about their feelings and feels heard can help prevent them from attempting suicide.⁶

For this year’s Suicide Prevention Month, Mind You aims to participate in this conversation. If you want to better understand mental health issues, clear up common misconceptions, and learn how to support others, join this month’s webinar by Mind You:

Beneath the Surface: Unpacking Mental Health Issues

September 27, 2024 | 6:00 PM PST

https://bit.ly/MindYouPublicWebinar/

Let’s talk about it. Be part of the conversation.

If you or someone you know needs urgent support, Mind You is here to help. Download the Mind You app or contact us today to connect with licensed therapists and access a wealth of mental health resources.

Instagram: @mindyoumhs
Facebook: Mind You Mental Health Systems
Twitter/X: @MindYouMHS
LinkedIn: Mind You Philippines

Or in any instance that Mind You is not available and someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm, please do not hesitate to proceed to the nearest hospital.

You may also reach out to the NCMH Crisis Hotline.
1553
(Luzon-wide landline toll-free)

0917 899 8727 / 0966 351 4518
(GLOBE / TM Subscribers)

0908 639 2672
(SMART / SUN / TNT Subscribers)

Sources:

Suicide (2024, August 19). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide/
World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 (2024, September 10). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-suicide-prevention-day/world-suicide-prevention-day-2024/
Ackerman, J. (2024, February 15). Don’t Say It’s Selfish: Suicide Is Not a Choice. Nationwide Children’s. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/700childrens/2019/11/suicide-is-not-a-choice/
4Mental Health Myths and Facts. (2023, April 24). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://samhsa.gov/mental-health/myths-and-facts/
Moran, P. (2013). People with mental health problems at high risk of being victims of crime. King’s College London. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/archive/news/ioppn/records/2013/october/people-with-mental-health-problems-at-high-risk-of-being-victims-of-crime/
National Institute of Mental Health (2023). Frequently Asked Questions about Suicide. NV.gov. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/suicide-faq/suicide-faq_0.pdf/
Harandi T.F., Taghinasab, M.M., & Nayeri, T.D. (2017, September 25). The correlation of social support with mental health: A meta-analysis. Electron Physician, 9(9), 5212-5222. DOI: 10.19082/5212.