𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗨*𝗖*𝗗𝗘

𝟯𝟲 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟𝗦 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗟𝗚𝗨 𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗕𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗦

To address the rising tide of suicide and mental health in the municipality, the local government has partnered with public and private educational institutions through a ceremonial signing of commitment at the Lednicky Hall last February 19.

For a more structured framework for partnership, Dr. Anthonette Agpas presented Municipal Ordinance No. 12-2023, which institutionalizes the provision of psychological first aid and mental health support. Authors, former councilor Apolinario Bagano Jr., and Vice Mayor Guiller Galwan first spearheaded its creation as a cornerstone for strengthening programs.

Estephanie Mae Utsig, Municipal Health Services Office (MHSO) program focal person, presented a detailed report on La Trinidad’s mental health and suicide cases from 2023 to 2025.

Total Cases: 318 individuals (171 males, 147 females) diagnosed with mental health problems

Key Areas: Most are recorded in Barangays Poblacion, Balili, and Pico.

Trends in Suicide:

2023-2024: Both years saw 42 attempts and 7 deaths.

2025: While attempts dipped to 11, deaths increased to 9.

Demographics and Drivers: Victims are predominantly aged 10-39. The primary triggers cited are family problems, relationship issues, and academic difficulties.

Methods: Common methods are either made through chemical ingestion, self-inflicted wounds, or multiple drug ingestion, while deaths are linked to hanging or gunshots.

Additionally, barangays Pico, Betag, and Balili have the most number of attempts.

“While privacy concerns can make data collection difficult, these provide crucial insights for immediate action,” Utsig noted.

Mayor Roderick Awingan emphasized the urgency of the initiative, “One case, death, or attempt is too many. It is painful to hear an individual, let alone a child, go through these things. Hence, we must normalize mental health discussions. Indeed, it is difficult to compare our generation because of our varying perspectives, but as leaders and adults paving the way, we must adjust for our children and the younger generation.”

School leaders, Angeline Bugtong, Executive Vice President of the King’s College of the Philippines, and Johnson Legaspi, President of Principals Association for Public Schools, will now lead the creation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to standardize how the municipality responds to and supports mental health cases.

HELP IS AVAILABLE: If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) at 1553, 0917-899-8727 (USAP), or 989-8727.

Author: 𝘙𝘙. 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘢-𝘢𝘺

Original Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18EyvMMhCb/