1

EFFECTIVITY OF SUICIDE HOTLINE

AS A MEDIUM FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

A Research Proposal

Presented to

Atty. Ryan L. Estevez

POLYTECHNIC UNVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

College of Law

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Course

LEGAL RESEARCH AND THESIS WRITING

By

JESSICA JOYCE P. PEALOSA

October 2016
 2

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

PO3 Jeremiah de Villa was charged with murder for killing one John dela

Riarte, a motorcyclist. The accused, together with PO2 Jonjie Manon-og were

both pressed with charges due to an incident that lead and prompt them to

shoot the victim. They were exercising their lawful duty arresting dela Riarte

when he tried to grab Manon-ogs gun. As a result, he was shot in the right

thigh, chest and abdomen which later on lead to his death. PO3 de Villa took

the accusation seriously. It affected him so much and kept on saying sorry to

his lawyer because he believed that his action caused negative publicity and

disturb the good reputation of PNP and his family. Thereafter, he was found

lying on the ground and proved to have jumped out of Police Security and

Protection Group (PSPG) building at around 9:45 a.m. of August 27, 2016. The

investigation held that his death was a case of suicide as declared by the HPG

director, Senior Supt. Antonio Gardiola. Furthermore, PO3 Joaquin Rafael

Florendo, the officer investigating De Villas death added that the suicide victim

is suffering from low morale because someone died as a consequence of lawful

exercise of his duty as a police officer.1

It was July 2015 when another case of suicide surfaced in online reports.

The actress of a Filipino television series ended her life by hanging from the

ceiling of their residence at Quezon City around 8 P.M. of July 6. This fifteen-

year old actress named Julia Louise Buencamino was declared dead on arrival

1
Jaymee T. Gamil, Before Crame Suicide, Cop Kept Saying Sorry, PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, (August 28,
2016, 01:28 AM), http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/810390/before-crame-suicide-cop-kept-saying-sorry
 3

at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in San Juan City. Her suicide was not

expected because she didnt manifest signs of depression nor was problematic.

The unfathomable suicide was allegedly caused by undiagnosed psychological

condition.2

Two cases of suicide appeared in 2013 and 2015 where two students

took their life due to failure to pay for their tuition fees. The case of Kristel

Tejada, a 16-year old behavioral science freshman student, spread in the public

in 2013. She owed 10, 000 pesos tuition for one semester at the University of

the Philippines Manila. As a result, Tejada was forced to file a leave of

absence (LOA). After which, she ended her life by drinking a silver cleaner.

When found unconscious, she was rushed to the Metropolitan Medical Center

but declared as dead. 3 Another case of the same reason happened in March

2015. Rosanna Sanfuego, a 16-year old freshman student taking up respiratory

therapy in Cagayan State University (CSU) hanged herself at their home in

Abulug town in Cagayan. Due to financial difficulty, the said suicide victim failed

to take her midterm examination which, thereafter, forced her to quit school.4

The above-mentioned cases are just few of the suicide cases in the

Philippines for the last years. Certainly, these rampant mental health problem

is quite alarming. Facts manifest the necessity to aid ones life. In the view of

such, the researcher believe that certain law must be enacted to compel the

government and the public to be governed with a measure, rules or regulations

2
Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Teen Actress Commits Suicide, THE MANILA TIMES, July 8, 2015,
http://www.manilatimes.net/teen-actress-commits-suicide/198530/
3
Raymon Dullana, CSU Freshman with School Fee problems Commits Suicide, (March 07, 2015, 11:20 AM),
http://www.rappler.com/nation/85631-csu-freshman-tuition-problems-suicide
4
Edu Punay, UP Student Kills Self Over Tuition, THE PHILIPPINE STAR, (March 16, 2013, 1:00am),
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/16/920420/student-kills-self-over-tuition
 4

that aims to seek the help of experts when an individual is faced with dilemma

that might lead to taking his/her own life.

Statement of the Problem

One of the reasons why laws are being established is the protection of

the life of the people. The promotion of this advocacy is evident in all places in

the world. Nevertheless, despite all the efforts exerted to safeguard the sanctity

of life, certain circumstances where the state is not in control inevitably arise.

To end ones own life to escape from the adverse effects of living, sometimes,

become their solution.

The primary purpose of the study is to be informed and to establish the

necessity to enact a law to aid in suicide prevention. Moreover, it seeks to

answer the following questions: what are the roles of Philippine laws in

connection with suicide prevention; what is/are the necessary action to be made

by the Philippine government in order to lessen cases of suicide; why is suicide

hotline necessary?

There are numerous points to speak if we talk about life, protection of life

and suicide per se. However, this study limit the information to the above

stated queries in order to seclude the discussion within areas of overlapping

ideologies of law and suicide.

 5

CHAPTER II

PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Related Reports

Widespread news about suicide in all parts of the Philippines had already

emerged and still continue up to this day. Despite this devastating fact, it is quite

more distressing that mental health is not being given fair importance in the

Philippines. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 5 people suffer

from mental health problems worldwide, yet there are only 0.05 psychiatrists

per 100,000 people in the Philippines; and the stigma still weighs heavily on

people suffering from mental illness.5 These facts lead to counting cases of

suicide. Other countries have formulated a program to prevent suicide through

creating a suicide hotline.

Crisis Hotline (647-8833) has been established in Guam as one of the

activities in the Focus on Life Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Plan

under the supervision of Wilfred Aflague, Director of Department of Mental

Health & Substance Abuse which main aim is to actively involve to stop suicide

on Guam, which further includes below purpose:

VISION: Healthy Choices in Caring Communities

We envision an island where individuals, families and neighborhoods are

empowered to make healthy choices within supportive and caring

communities.

MISSION: Our mission is to empower individuals to live healthier lifestyles

and to support and encourage communities to promote healthy choices. 6

5
Philippine Psychiatric Association, Make the countrys first Mental Health Act happen. #MHActnow,
Change.org, Inc., (2016), https://www.change.org/p/mhactnow
6
Executive Order No. 2011-03 (2011, State of Guam)
 6

In New Jersey, United States of America, they established a program

named Copline as is the first national law enforcement officers hotline in the

country that is manned by retired law enforcement officers. Their target

audience are the law enforcement officers and their families. This non-profit

organization aims to provide peer support as crisis intervention along with

referrals to specifically skilled mental health professionals for follow up and

continued assistance.7

Statistics show that there are more than 27,000 people in Japan who lose

their lives to suicide with approximately 70 people a day. As a remedy, they

have TELL which is devoted to provide support and counseling services to

Japan's international community and its increasing mental health needs.8 To

name few more, USA with National Suicide Prevention Lifeline; UK with

Samaritans anytime; and Scotland with Breathing Space phoneline are also

extensing help to those in crisis.These are only few of the countries in the world

that provide a close connection to people in need through hotlines.9

The administration of 2016 newly elected President Rodrigo Durterte is

fortunately not blinded with the increasing and disturbing effects of mental

health and suicide cases in the country. The Department of Health Dr. Paulyn

Jean Rosell-Ubial included "modern-day living diseases," particularly mental

health, on the list of their priority concerns. She further uttered, "It's not visible

to the eye. Kung merong (If there is) heart attack, cancer, kita mo yun eh (you

can see it)," Ubial said. "Pero mental health wala (But not with mental health.)

7
COPLINE, Inc. (2016),
http://www.peaceguam.org/Prevention/docs/suicide_prev/Attachment_GuamStatePlanForSuicidePrevention
AndEarlyIntervention_FY2011-FY2015.pdf
8
Kento Iida, Suicide Prevention, TELL Japan, (2016), http://telljp.com/lifeline/suicide-prevention/
9
Hollis Easter, When You Call a Suicide Hotline, November 2, 2014, http://www.holliseaster.com/p/call-
suicide-hotline/
 7

It can be anyone of you here." According to this department, suicide cases can

be prevented. They established Project Hopeline which is dedicated to help the

people who are suffering from depression by assisting them to connect to

counselors and mental health professionals.10 In line with this, bill has been

proposed to the Congress, Senate Bill No. 2450 or the "Philippine Mental Health

Act of 2014" and House Bill No. 5347 or the "Philippine Mental Health Act of

2015" which the purpose is to create a mental health care program that provides

for mental health needs in equity with the peoples physical health needs.11

Aggressive on the passage of the Mental Health Act, the Philippine Psychiatric

Association have commenced an online petition called #MHActNow. Their letter

to the Congress reads as follows:

Letter to

Philippine Legislators: Senators, Congressmen

Please recognise the fact that there no programs and policies designed to

protect the mentally ill, prevent mental illness and promote mental health

in our country.

The Mental Health Act is aimed at developing solutions to multi-faceted and

serious problems concerning the mental health of Filipinos.

In our country, mental health problems have too long been dismissed as a

second priority. This needs to change. Make the first Mental Health Act

happen

10
Rie Takumi, DOH Wants Mental Health Bill Included in Duterte Admin's Priorities, GMA NEWS, (July 14, 2016,
5:18pm), http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/573687/lifestyle/healthandwellness/doh-wants-mental-
health-bill-included-in-duterte-admin-s-priorities#sthash.GiMInx4d.dpuf
11
Philippine Psychiatric Association, Make the countrys first Mental Health Act happen. #MHActnow,
Change.org, Inc., (2016), https://www.change.org/p/mhactnow
 8

#MHActnow 12

Recently, September 13, 2016, the national hotline for mental health

assistance has opened. Every single suicide is still a tragedy... The message

we want to pass on is first of all, having suicidal thoughts is nothing to be

ashamed of. This happens to a lot of people. People who have these thoughts

are not alone, says WHO Representative in the Philippines Gundo Weiler. The

Department of Health in partnership with Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF)

and Globe for the HOPELINE Project, a 24/7 crisis support hotline for

depression and suicide prevention, successfully launched the project. 13

Promising results of suicide hotlines have been established in one

psychology study made which stated that the results appear to be decidedly

mixed. Yet, if only 43% felt suicidal since the call, that leaves over 50% who do

not. From the numbers presented, it can be inferred that suicide hotlines reduce

more than half of the potential suicide victims.14

Analysis

Based on the gathered researches with related concerns, laws enacted on

different countries regarding suicide hotlines, and more importantly, based on

numerous cases of suicide that are happening nowadays, the researcher come

up with the below analysis.

12
Jee Y. Geronimo, National Hotline for Mental Health Assistance Now Open, RAPPLER, (September 13, 2016,
5:20 PM), http://www.rappler.com/nation/146077-doh-hotline-mental-health-assistance-open-suicide-
prevention?utm_content=bufferef557&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buf
fer
13
Grohol, J. (2016). A Study of Suicide Hotlines. Psych Central. Retrieved on September 29, 2016,
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/09/09/a-study-of-suicide-hotlines/
14
PNA, DoH Opens Hopeline Project vs. Suicide, MANILA STANDARD, (September 15, 2016, 12:01 AM),
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/metro/216161/doh-opens-hopeline-project-vs-suicide.html
 9

To answer the question: What are the roles of Philippine laws in connection

with suicide prevention? Laws have been known as the fundamental rule which

govern the practice and life itself of the people in specific place where such law

is enacted. Given that circumstance, certainly Philippine laws plays an

important role in suicide prevention. The researcher have noted the following

points considered: (1) law provides for a firm and stable action that are directed

to be followed by the people of the state; (2) since suicide prevention is quite

difficult to attain at first hand, laws can strictly enforce its prevention through its

power and mandate; (3) the necessary points to be considered are keenly

observed by the law-making body.

There are thousands of actions the Philippine government can contribute in

order to lessen cases of suicide Some of the activities that are soon to be

formulated, hopefully, to prevent suicide which has been partially given by

Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF). 15 Educating the public on mental health

through educational lectures and confidential crisis lines; promote a culture of

joy among people suffering from depression; and Project HOPELINE will

assess the situation of the individual calling the hotline and refer him or her to

a medical facility and professionals, if necessary.

Suicide Hotline is necessary because of the following reasons: it enhance

the mental health program as desired by the present administration; it promotes

to lessen trouble callers through the help of psychiatrists and psychologists

trained by NCMH and the DOH; those in the Hopeline who take the calls explain

15
Grohol, J. (2016). A Study of Suicide Hotlines. Psych Central. Retrieved on September 29, 2016,
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/09/09/a-study-of-suicide-hotlines/
 10

that suicide is not an option and there are ways to deal with it, like talking to a

doctor who can manage the condition.

CHAPTER III

CONCLUSION

In the view of the foregoing events and facts laid down, it is undeniably

necessary to promote mental health. It is not only aimed to prevent suicide but

most importantly to preserve the foundation and sanctity of humanity and

sanity. In the past years, the Philippines had a hard time facing this problem

because it has not yet been addressed. There is a taboo in Philippine culture

that is exceptionally difficult to remove regrading mental illness. Since we are

already in the modern days, this misconception has to be stopped; instead,

mental health should be considered as important as those with physical health.

It is good to know that the present administration is in progress to

passing such law that will eventually and surely deal with the growing cases of

suicide. For some, it is not as crucial as the other health problems due to the

lack of sufficient information and awareness, reason why the researcher,

additionally, aims to push such advocacy to make it known.

Hence, suicide hotline as an instrument to suicide prevention is

necessary and has proven to be effective to help potential victims of suicide.

 11

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. COPLINE, Inc. (2016),

http://www.peaceguam.org/Prevention/docs/suicide_prev/Attachment_GuamS
tatePlanForSuicidePreventionAndEarlyIntervention_FY2011-FY2015.pdf
2. Edu Punay, UP Student Kills Self Over Tuition, THE PHILIPPINE STAR,
(March 16, 2013, 1:00am),
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/03/16/920420/student-kills-self-over-
tuition
3. Executive Order No. 2011-03 (2011, State of Guam)
4. Grohol, J. (2016). A Study of Suicide Hotlines. Psych Central. Retrieved on
September 29, 2016, http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/09/09/a-
study-of-suicide-hotlines/
5. Hollis Easter, When You Call a Suicide Hotline, November 2, 2014,
http://www.holliseaster.com/p/call-suicide-hotline/
6. Jaymee T. Gamil, Before Crame Suicide, Cop Kept Saying Sorry,
PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, (August 28, 2016, 01:28 AM),
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/810390/before-crame-suicide-cop-kept-saying-
sorry
7. Jee Y. Geronimo, National Hotline for Mental Health Assistance Now Open,
RAPPLER, (September 13, 2016, 5:20 PM),
http://www.rappler.com/nation/146077-doh-hotline-mental-health-assistance-
open-suicide-
prevention?utm_content=bufferef557&utm_medium=social&utm_source=face
book.com&utm_campaign=buffer
8. Kento Iida, Suicide Prevention, TELL Japan, (2016),
http://telljp.com/lifeline/suicide-prevention/
9. Philippine Psychiatric Association, Make the countrys first Mental Health Act
happen. #MHActnow, Change.org, Inc., (2016),
https://www.change.org/p/mhactnow
10. Pia Bonalos and Karmela Tordecilla, Mental Health to be a DOH Priority, CNN
PHILIPPINES, (July 8, 2016, 11:42 AM),
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/07/07/mental-health-doh-priority.html
11. PNA, DoH Opens Hopeline Project vs. Suicide, MANILA STANDARD,
(September 15, 2016, 12:01 AM),
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/metro/216161/doh-opens-hopeline-project-vs-
suicide.html
12. Raymon Dullana, CSU Freshman with School Fee problems Commits
Suicide, (March 07, 2015, 11:20 AM), http://www.rappler.com/nation/85631-
csu-freshman-tuition-problems-suicide
13. Rie Takumi, DOH Wants Mental Health Bill Included in Duterte Admin's
Priorities, GMA NEWS, (July 14, 2016, 5:18pm),
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/573687/lifestyle/healthandwellness/d
oh-wants-mental-health-bill-included-in-duterte-admin-s-
priorities#sthash.GiMInx4d.dpuf
14. Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Teen Actress Commits Suicide, THE MANILA TIMES,
July 8, 2015, http://www.manilatimes.net/teen-actress-commits-
suicide/198530/