黑料社

MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A mental health advocate on Wednesday advised future psychologists to openly ask people if they are contemplating suicide, believing they have better chances of preventing it that way.

鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to ask if they are having suicidal thoughts,鈥� said Dr. Raymond John Naguit, national chairperson of the Youth for Mental Health Coalition (YMHC).

鈥淭he usual misconception is that if you talk to that person about suicide, it鈥檚 as if you are implanting it on someone鈥檚 mind. But there have been a lot of studies already saying that it鈥檚 not like that,鈥� Naguit told students at a forum in Quezon City in celebration of the World Mental Health Week.

鈥淎nd actually, if you map out and there鈥檚 a clear intent that you know the other methods the person might use, you might be in a better position to address the suicide act,鈥� he added.

鈥淏ecause if you comfortably use the term 鈥榮uicide,鈥� it can also convey that you are in a better position to address it later on,鈥� he said.

Naguit later told students who are uncomfortable or unsure if they are dealing with someone who is in distress: 鈥淵ou best to consult a professional, refer them.鈥�

Assessing the situation

A Global Burden Distress Study in 2015聽 showed that for every 100,000 Filipinos, the suicide rates are 1.9 for females, 5.8 for males, and 3.8 for both sexes.

Naguit provided three questions that he said should be asked from people contemplating suicide.

鈥淵ou need to ask for the method, for the time, and the possible place where the attempt would be done,鈥� he said.

鈥淲e have to understand if the plan is more detailed, 聽the more likely the suicide act will happen,鈥� he added.

And either it was made in a serious tone or light-hearted manner, Naguit 聽said that all pronouncement of suicide 鈥渕ust be taken seriously.鈥�

鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 said in jest, because sometimes they usually joke about it,鈥� the mental health advocate said.

鈥淪o we need to clarify, the first step is to clarify the intent,鈥� Naguit added.