QC to observe World Suicide Prevention Day

MANILA, Philippines -  Every 40 seconds, one life is lost to suicide, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Philippines has the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia.

WHO’s 2003 data show that for every 100,000 Filipinos, there are 93 suicides.

In the Philippines, the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF) has linked up with Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and the Quezon City government under Mayor Herbert Bautista, various government agencies, universities and NGOs to mark World Suicide Prevention Day Event this Friday.

There will be “Mindstrong” activities in the morning at UP Diliman, through the efforts of NGF and UP’s Department of Psychology.

The activities include Fit and Fun around the UP Academic Oval (registration starts at 5:30 a.m. at UP’s Quezon Hall) and a lecture series at UP’s Palma Hall, 9 a.m., on “Taming the Demons in Our Midst: Finding Healing From Bullying and Depression.”

Afternoon activities at the Liwasang Aurora at the Quezon Memorial Circle include:

Healing Mass, 1 p.m.; booth activities by UP, Miriam College, and Ateneo de Manila, 2-5 p.m.; formal program, 5 p.m.; Candle Light Memorial Walk, 5:30 p.m.; and Music for Hope Concert, 6:30 p.m., with special guests 8-Track, Q-York, Miriam San Miguel, Christopher Ong, and Geoff Taylor.

NGF’s HOPE crisis lines are www.ngf-hope.org, 0917-558 HOPE (4673) or 211-4550, 0917-572 HOPE or 211-1305, 0917-852 HOPE, and 0917-842 HOPE.

For more information, contact 897-2217 or [email protected].