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Jameth Dinglasan

A YEAR OF SURVIVING; MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE ARE AMONG US


While the world suffers from a pandemic, a silent malady ruin lots of lives and families for years. It strikes unknowingly and can affect your communities, families, friends, or even yourself. Like the current virus, a stigma still exists surrounding the mental disorder and suicide slowing the progress in community awareness and breaking down the taboo to prevent the rising cases of suicide.


It has always been among us, and the pandemic gradually opens the story in every mental disorder and problem we are facing, leading to attempt or even the death to suicide. How come 800,000 people die from suicide every year and still people are naïve from this? We still keep thinking individuals who suffer from this doesn’t seek help and are therefore doesn’t get the help they need. It has always been reaching for support and people keep expecting a word as a sign for help to be actioned. Most victims feel more severe than sadness, a state of tiredness, numbness, emptiness, and feeling of hopelessness triggered by depression or an event or problem that can traumatize the victim. This feeling lingers for years or even experience episodes for a long period and you would not exactly know who suffer or who will be next.


As a youth or as young as you, you are always been prone to this, being the second leading cause of death in 15-29 years old globally. A healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise or even a simple talk to someone can help to gradually reduce this case.


We face much life problem and responsibilities as we grow and developed ourselves. We always want someone to lean on or to live a life without difficulties. Experiencing this, you would not wish it for anyone else. Just remember it is not up to you or no one else, you are always been among us and we care. – Jameth Dinglasan/The Freehand Feature


Illustration by Jude Pevin Agbanlog, TF Associate Editor/Cartooning Head

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In this year's Suicide Prevention Month, always remember to seek out for help if you are feeling depressed. And let's stop the stigma against the Mental Health issues. Kaya mo 'yan, CAFAtid!


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