You Got a Problem But There’s No One to Talk To? Dial This Number and Have Your Problem Solved

Based on the first global report on suicide prevention published by the World Health Organization in 2014, more than 800, 000 people commit suicide every year. This accounts to an estimated one person for every 40 seconds.  39 percent of the statistics came from the third world countries in Southeast Asia.

Digits may have been that alarming, but as of your reading, it is continuously rising.

Here in the Philippines, being the lowest suicide rate in ASEAN- member states, a portion of about 2.9 percent per 100, 000 populations are still suicidal.

This could be lower than the standards being set by WHO, but the root of this problem which is mental illnesses and depression are still extensive.

Many see these conditions tolerable unlike cancer and diabetes, but many are still clueless of how this silent killer causes many painful deaths.

A Suicide Counseling Hotline

As a solution as to what they tag as “modern- day living diseases,” the Health Department under Duterte administration prioritizes a campaign for mental health in the start of their reign.

Last July 7, 2016, DOH, in partnership with the National Center for Mental Health and Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF), establishes HopeLine, the official 24- 7 suicide counseling hotline that will begin in September.

NGF is named after the daughter of Jean Goulbourn, a fashion designer, who committed suicide at the age of 27.

The project that aids to connect a right person for a suffering person, aims to encourage people to talk about their feelings to someone that they may not know personally but are trained to relieve whatever bothers them.

This team of professionals is seasoned with skills on crisis management, of relieving depression, suicide prevention, and negotiation and in handling private information.

After dialing the provided hotline numbers, the responder will give the caller’s information and will provide the necessary measures for the help the caller seek, may it be about crisis or depression.

Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said that she is optimistic that HopeLine will be fully implemented and will address health issues in a very innovative way.

Hopeline hotlines may be reached 24/7 through:(02) 804-HOPE (4673); 0917 558 HOPE (4673) and 2919 (toll-free number for all GLOBE and TM subscribers).


Source/Image: Rappler | Philstar