Suicide cases in the Philippines spiked last 2020, during the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, where harsh lockdowns forced everyone to stay indoors, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
Based on its latest data, the PSA said the country registered 3,529 deaths due to “intentional self-harm” in 2020 — a 25.7% increase compared to the 2,808 recorded in 2019.
“Deaths due to intentional self-harm recorded a 25.7 percent increase from the previous year, making it the 27th leading cause of death in 2020, from rank 31 in 2019,” the PSA said.
Earlier, experts mentioned that the Covid-19 pandemic will have “profound and pervasive impact” on the world’s mental health problem with billions trying hard to cope with living inside and anxiety.
Moreover, a paper published by the Lancet Psychiatry states a group of 24 specialists call for more funds to implement an intensive study on the effects of the Covid-19 to people’s mental health.
OCTA Research found out from January 26 to February 1, 2021, that 28% of Filipinos underwent emotional problems, such as stress or extreme sadness due to the pandemic.
The Department of Health (DOH) announced in August last year that the National Center of Mental Health (NCMH) received an average of 53 suicide-related calls in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moreover, the NCMH crisis hotline received a spike of calls during the months of April, May, June, and July. The peak of calls were recorded in June with 1,115 calls. Ronald dela Cruz