FEATURES
October 2020 Issue
Uncovering the deserted realities about suicide in the LGBTQIA+ community written by Bet Domingo Trigger warning – a statement that "Fact U," an online live talkshow of Spaces.MNL about socio-political topics concerning the LGBTQIA+ community, constantly reminded its viewers on October 5 during its emotive episode while bravely uncovering the deserted realities about suicide. The show's episode was also in solidarity with the country's observance of the National Mental Health Awareness Month this October and the National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month last September. Hosted by Miss Trans Global Mela Habijan, and LoveYourself volunteers Janlee Dungca and Peachy Roberts, the episode emphasized the importance of building awareness on mental wellness and its related topics to address the growing concern of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses experienced by the community members. Habijan stressed that fear is the biggest challenge for the LGBTQIA+ members' mental health, following the persisting social discrimination. "We all know that it's fear because we went through the process of overcoming with our fear from our true selves, fear of acceptance from our family, and fear of what lies ahead," Habijan said. She added that it's like vines branching out from other forms of anxieties, and as fears pile up over time, it'll be more difficult for someone experiencing it to ask for professional help and continue living.
Photo by Ebagasol
6 6
Aside from fear, Dungca also raised concerns about the Philippines' lack of mental health facilities and support programs. As a taboo in traditional Filipino culture, Dungca underscored the need to have a stronger voice to fight off stigma towards the LGBTQIA+ members and the issue surrounding mental health. Emphasizing the intersectionality of these topics, "I hope we can have stronger support from the community," she said. Meanwhile, Roberts shared that giving family and friends time could mean a lot, especially if they experience heavy emotional burdens. "A simple message of 'How are you' can provide them with a sense of hope to continue," Roberts said. She added that being aware of our problems enables us to know how to address them. In their recent study, the World Health Organization documented that 10-20 percent of children and adolescents in the world are affected by mental health problems. Most of these instances occur before they even turn 14 years old. An aggravating fact that even if Filipinos were hailed as one of the happiest and optimistic people globally, the National Center for Mental Health noticed an increase in calls about depression and anxiety. UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE To help digest the meaty subject, guests of Fact U were Riyan Portuguez and Bro. Noel Segismundo Cabigting. Portuguez is a registered psychologist and the content creator for "Your Millenial Psychologist"
Facebook page. Cabigting, on the other hand, is a spiritual director and a psychotherapist. He is also the co-founder of Flourish Circle, a mental wellness initiative of LoveYourself, Inc. Cagbigting emphasized that suicide is complicated, and that there is no absolute template as to why a person commit suicide. "By looking however into the stigma revolving around it, this makes us better understand the phenomenon," he said. He added that stigma is fed by fear, and the fear of the unknown can be terrifying for some. Culturally, he also mentioned Filipinos' idea of a "happy person" as counter-intuitive for mental health care and more commonly associated with "toxic positivity." Portuguez supported Cabigting, emphasizing that there's a need for a careful understanding of the person and the complex situation he/she's in. "This is a serious public health, following various studies that suicide is the second leading cause of death between ages 15-19 annually, and 800 people are killed due to suicide," Portuguez affirmed. The guests also mentioned the risk factors and a mnemonic that might help us understand a person's mental health. According to Cabigting, the risk factors that may affect one's ideation and commission of suicide may include the following: 1) Knowing someone who committed it; 2) Had attempted it previously; 3) Comorbidity of experiencing personal crises (e.g., loss of loved one, employment, etc.) while having
