Quezon city: Amid the increasing number of people being drowned in anxiety and desperation for various reasons, the Quezon City government underscored how a simple 'how are you?' can make a difference.
According to Philippines News Agency, on World Suicide Prevention Day on Wednesday, the city government highlighted the expansion of its community-based mental health programs and services to make help more accessible and stigma-free for every resident.
Quezon City Health Department Medical Officer Rica Fatima Charlene Arias stated that suicide has no single cause, describing it as a 'complex interplay of relationship conflicts, financial distress, academic stress, trauma, and untreated mental health conditions.' Arias emphasized that overwhelming burdens can lead individuals to feel hopeless, sometimes resulting in suicidal thoughts as they seek a way out of their situation.
Philippine Statistics Authority records indicate 4,420 suicide deaths in 2020, while police data reveal nearly 2,000 deaths by suicide from January to June this year. In Quezon City alone, five of the 56 suicide-related deaths in 2025 involved individuals under 18 years old, highlighting the vulnerability of today's youth. The PSA report also noted a significant increase in deaths due to intentional self-harm, jumping 57.3 percent from the previous year.
To address these concerns, the city established a multi-layered safety net, including a Mental Wellness Access Hub in each of the city's six districts. These hubs offer free screening, counseling, consultation, medication, and referral services. Arias reported that over 1,300 QC residents have registered for these hubs, with thousands more benefiting from psychoeducation through mobile caravans.
These hubs operate Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at various health centers. For crisis situations, residents can contact Helpline 122, available 24/7. Trained responders handle suicidal calls with care and coordinate rapid transport to psychiatric facilities.
Arias stressed the importance of making individuals feel heard when they reach out for help, noting that those who call are often seeking assistance to overcome their struggles. The city's approach involves helping callers understand their emotions and connecting them to appropriate services.
Beyond frontline services, Quezon City also supports its workforce with initiatives such as 'Mindscape,' a web-based platform offering self-help tools, online screening, and professional access. The city also provides a wellness room at the health department and conducts annual "All is Well" caravans for employees' mental health awareness. These efforts are anchored in the QC Mental Health Code of 2022, which prioritizes community-based mental health care.
Arias highlighted the need to treat mental health with the same importance as physical health, advocating for the removal of stigma and promoting mental health care as essential. While suicide remains a global issue, Quezon City is introducing models to support healing through listening, connection, and timely intervention.
World Suicide Prevention Day is observed every Sept. 10, with the World Health Organization emphasizing the day's purpose to raise global awareness that suicide can be prevented.
