Suicide cases in Negros, Iloilo ‘alarming’

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. – The cities of Bacolod and Iloilo have the most number of suicide cases in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Health’s regional office in Western Visayas (DOH-6).

This was revealed during the presscon on September 15, hosted by the (DOH)- 6.

Is alarming,” said Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, a medical officer with the DOH-6 here.

Data as reported by police offices shows that for the period January 2015 to date, there have been eight suicide cases in Negros Occidental. Of this number, one was female who took her own life from depression while seven were male.

A dozen cases were reported in Iloilo City. Ten of these cases were “completed,” while the remaining two were attempted cases. A report on suicide in Iloilo province showed that from 2009 to 2014, there were 18 “completed” cases; Aklan had five, Capiz one, and Antique two. The report from Guimaras has not yet been submitted.

Sta. Lucia also said that suicide due to depression (about 78-80 percent) is common among younger people in the 15-to-24 year old age bracket with a history of suicide in the family, a history of attempted suicide in the past, lack of family support, loss of loved ones, anger/ revenge and availability of means, such as bladed weapons.

According to Sta. Lucia, suicide usually starts from mere thought, with the person prone to committing suicide planning to actualize then eventually doing the act.