TACLOBAN CITY: The Department of Health (DOH) is seeking accurate monitoring of suicide incidents in Eastern Visayas to help authorities develop effective mental health programs, interventions, and resource allocation. DOH-Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago said the DOH and the Philippine National Police (PNP) agreed to synchronize data sharing between health facilities and police stations.
According to Philippines News Agency, accurate reporting is needed as current data collection on suicide cases in Eastern Visayas is fragmented, as health facilities and police stations often operate independently, leading to inconsistencies and gaps in reporting, Malibago said in a phone interview Monday. The official said this collaboration will ensure consistent and accurate reporting of suicide cases, enabling better public health responses, improved mental health services, and enhanced suicide prevention efforts across the region.
The health department urged all city health offices, ru
ral health units, and all government and private hospitals in the region to coordinate with their respective police stations to ensure the harmonization of data on suicide incidents. ‘All suicide-related data recorded at the health facility level must be shared with the corresponding city or municipal police stations and vice versa, prior to recording and submitting reports to higher reporting units. This step is crucial to ensuring consistency and accuracy in regional reporting,’ Malibago added.
Currently, the DOH and PNP have no available data on suicide incidents for 2024. Last year, reports reaching rural health units revealed that 95 people in the region committed suicide that year, higher than the 49 cases in 2022. However, police stations in six provinces logged 204 suicide cases from January to December 2023.
Those suffering from depression are encouraged to talk to trusted individuals, look for diversion like gardening or doing artwork, and seek help from health professionals. The DOH-Eastern Visay
as regional hotlines for suicide-related calls are 09474238423 and 09665316464. The National Center for Mental Health helplines are 09190571553 and 09178998727.
