Approximately seven Filipinos commit suicide every day. 46 percent of total suicide cases recorded since 2010 come from the youth. 30 percent of those who committed suicide are young adults aged 20 to 35 years old, while the remaining 16 percent are teens aged 10 to 19 years old.

The increasing rate of suicide is alarming, not just in the Philippines, but around the world. Close to 800 000 people die from suicide every year. Suicide is a serious matter not to be taken for granted. However, the real problem behind the increasing rate of suicides is depression.

People don’t die from suicide—they die from depression. When people commit suicide, only their physical body dies because they’re already dying or dead inside. Stress, loneliness, and the lack of love are some of the few reasons why people get depressed. Depression almost always leads to suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

Thoughts of suicide represent an attempt to solve problems for some people. It may even represent a desire to make things better and as a way to make all problems go away. To some people this may sound absurd, but for people who are suffering depression, it may seem to be the only way out.

The lack of proper understanding of such matters is quite alarming. People who suffer from depression often isolate themselves from others, and this isolation leads to loneliness. Eventually, it’s the same loneliness that opens the doors to suicidal thoughts.

Ironically, we can never know if a person has suicidal tendencies or not. However, there are warning signs to know if a person should be diagnosed with depression, and these warning signs are usually the things that we don’t notice until it’s too late.

We may feel sad, lonely, or depressed at times. It’s normal. It’s part of being human. Sadness and loneliness are normal reactions to loss, problems, life struggles, or an injured self esteem. However, when those feelings become overwhelming, cause physical symptoms, and last for long periods of time, then it becomes a serious matter.

A person who is suffering from depression will not admit that they are depressed. Victims of depression have a serious need for emotional support from their peers and psychological help from a doctor. If depression goes untreated, it may get worse and last for months, even years. It can cause psychological and emotional pain, which may possibly lead to suicide.

Recognising the symptoms is a key factor. Unfortunately, about half the people who have depression never get it diagnosed or treated by a doctor. Some of the symptoms may include: trouble concentrating and making decisions; fatigue; feelings of guilt; worthlessness and helplessness; pessimism and hopelessness; insomnia; early-morning wakefulness or sleeping too much; irritability; restlessness; overeating or appetite loss; persistent sadness; anxiousness or feelings of emptiness; and lastly, suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Empathy and understanding should be the main focal points in addressing depression. However, many mental health professionals in the Philippines, instead, resort more to prescribing antidepressant medications than to giving more emphasis on talking to the patient to help him or her gain a positive outlook in life. Recklessly attributing a patient’s depression to a “chemical imbalance” despite lack of real scientific evidence also leads patients to feel that their situation is hopeless.

In addition to that, the lack of proper access to healthcare and support systems is one of the major factors to an alarming suicide rate caused by depression. Most people are afraid to report or consult their suicidal ideation because they do not want to be judged as someone with a mental disorder.

This stigma must be addressed and be dealt with uttermost urgency. We must intensify education on mental health and suicide prevention. The government should increase its investment with these matters, along with a bigger budgetary allocation for medical support and services which are crucial to prevent suicide.

Together, we should break the stigma of unheard voices. Depression is real. Suicide is real. Don’t be afraid to admit that there is a problem. We should be mindful of our peers, for you may never know what they are going through every day. Each and every one of us has a battle being fought inside. You never know, a simple gesture of kindness, a smile, or a “hello” may save another person’s life today.