The suicide rate in the Philippines has gone up in the last 21 years and majority of the cases involve young people.
However, the country has yet to create an effective suicide prevention strategy. Much has yet to be understood on what suicide means.
Depression is not something that is discussed in class, it is not something that is widely talked about and many are still unable to connect the symptoms.
More and more Filipinos are reported to have committed suicide. Some of the most common methods that they use is strangulation, suffocation and hanging.
Some will mostly make use of self-poisoning or the ingestion of silver cleaners and other unspecified chemicals.
Many of the cases were also caused by depression, and other factors will include low income, unemployment, medical conditions as well as problems with marital status.
What are the symptoms of depression?
There is a big difference with simply feeling lonely from depression symptoms. Depression could sometimes be caused by chemical imbalance and by environmental factors. It could hinder a once jolly and motivate person to want to do nothing
A depressed individual will usually have a hard time remembering details, will have difficulty concentrating, will have decreased energy.
They might also feel guilty or feel worthless, they could also suffer from insomnia, early-morning wakefulness or excessive sleeping.
Some will be easily irritated or restless and would suddenly lose interest in their own hobbies and activities including that of sex.
Overeating or appetite loss, persistent digestive problems, cramps and headaches could also be a sign of depression
As well as feelings of emptiness, the inability to feel happy nor sad in certain situations.
If left untreated, a person can consider suicide, if they are unable to help themselves get to a more positive type of thinking they might succumb to it.
How to cure Depression?
Depression is a phase, and the only way to cure it is to continue moving. There are a lot of people nowadays who feel this emptiness and lack of willingness to do anything but are unable to discuss what they are feeling because it is not something that is easily understood especially in a country like the Philippines where certain mental disorders are not yet understood.
There are no psychiatrist clinics here that provide proper medications for people who are suffering from manic depression. While we have centers for psychiatric disorders in hospitals, they are still unable to provide a humane and positive view on how to deal with depression.
It is not something that people discuss in this country, it is not an accepted problem that has to be dealt with properly.
And most Filipinos are not able to afford discussing what they are going through. There is not much study conducted on the problem.
But here are ways to lessen what you feel when you are depressed, we might not have the assistance of doctors but we can deal with it.
1. Take Long walks- if you are having pessimistic thoughts and thoughts of suicide. Pull all your strength and walk for at least an hour.
If you live in the province, make sure to go near the trees- reconnect with nature. Nature provides feelings of calmness that cannot be given by fellow humans.
Find ways to get close to nature, but if you are living in a highly urbanized area...do walk inside universities, inside campuses, places where there could be interesting things to see that will help your mind get distracted.
2. Listen to meditation music in your room.
Depression is mostly caused by negative thoughts, rest your mind for a moment by listening to Guided meditations.
There are so many guided meditations that are available and free on YouTube, if you feel a sudden gush of sadness, put on your earphones and lie on your bed and listen to these guided meditations for a while.
No one can really promise you that everything will be alright, but you can live one day at a time.
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