A traveler’s journey will not always be bright and light, there’s also shadow that shrouds the brightest light, leaving us in the woods with uncertainty, fear, and melancholy. And when this came, we found ourselves asking— “when will this end?” Out of these overwhelming feelings, you might be lost along the road, cry out loud seeking for help, or grip out of something you don’t know either.
And as we walk through the moonless nights and filled with obscurity, we gaze at the remaining lights above, and these stars shine through, guiding you towards the brighter path, leading us out to the woods of agony.
The way through there is different, because nights like this are not usual to others, they even see this as sometimes “too dramatic” or “you are just lacking prayer”.
Annually, since 2003 we are gathered to remember the World Suicide Prevention Day every 10th of September, established by International Association for Suicide Prevention. This is the day wherein we all aim to reduce the stigma and raise awareness that suicides are preventable and mental health problems are true and happening.
As the clouds slowly turn into a darker version of its life, as if the feelings become heavier, our world starts to be surrounded by darkness, becoming more miserable. The September was made to create light to prevent more horrible things from happening as we celebrate suicide prevention. With the theme of, "Creating hope through action," the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to create a signal for people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and we care for them. Suicide is said to be a major public health problem, which recorded an estimated 700,000 suicides per year worldwide, making it the fourth leading cause of death among 15 and 29 years old. With this, there's also someone out there attempting to end their lives. Suicide is the worst consequence of mental health issues that sometimes, some of us ignore, thinking it was just a drama.
“Suicide Worldwide in 2019: Global Health Estimates”, a global report, states more than 77% of suicides occurring in low and middle income countries. In 2019, estimated of 41,673 people died from suicide in Eastern Mediterranean Region. In Philippines, estimation of around 2.2% of deaths recorded through suicide in every 100,000 inhabitants in 2019. The death of intentional self-harm aroused in count when pandemic hit. Certain factors contributes to the risk of a person to commit suicide, this counts depression, bullying, grievance, and traumas. These factors also contribute to the count of people who suffer mental health problems, leading to them having worse habits, such as illegal drugs taking and excessive alcohol consumption.
There are several ways to help the surroundings to be more light and have some colors to remind them there's us at their sides. The clouds should release the inner heaviness in him to create a more bright and lively appearance. The stars needed broken pieces to be whole again and shine bright without burning themselves. Life is like these stars and clouds we see up in the sky, we need someone to listen to our rants and life's darkness to release the heaviness and be more lively just like how clouds become bright after the rain. We need the courage to collect our pieces and puzzle it up in us to be whole and able to shine again like how the stars give light in our night sky. It's difficult to identify who among our loved ones is expressing their suicidal thoughts but we can still lend our hands to help them get up from falling. By listening to them, telling them that you're with them, and making them feel your presence that you're with them. If they're getting worse, we can offer help for them to look for mental health professionals to help them cope with their pain. Being suicidal is not a trend to be followed just to be famous. Mental health problems exist and they're making others' lives darker and more miserable than others. Mentally unstable people do not need the stigma that it's just in their minds, they need someone to talk to and hold on to. Stars needed others, too, to create more light and shine without burning themselves.
Together, let's fight the stigma and create hope for them.
Article by: Michael Agang and Rhea Vinluan
Layout by: Francine Pantaleon
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