Suicide in Tabuk City, mostly by hanging

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Tabuk City Police data from 2016 to 2020 showed a record of twelve (12) suicide cases reported by concerned individuals revealing most who commit the act chose death by hanging.

From the 12 incidents, 7 cases were reported to have happened by hanging, 2 by using a gun, 1 by hacking, 1 by slashing wrist, and 1 drowning. It is important to note that not all suicide incidents have been reported.

Tabuk City Police Station recorded 2 cases in 2016; 4 in 2017; 2 in 2018; 1 in 2019; and 3 in 2020. Most cases were found to have transpired around 4:00AM – 10:00 in the morning (7 cases) while the rest (5 cases) happened around 1:00PM to 7:00 in the evening.

Most of the victims were found to be in the age bracket of 30 to 50 yrs. old (6 cases), 5-20 yrs. old (2 cases), 21-30 (2), 50 and above (2).

According to the records, it was alleged that family and personal problems were main factors that influenced the victims to take their own lives.

How many commit suicide every year?

According to a World Health Organization fact sheet, close to 800,000 people in the world commit suicide every year, excluding thousands of others who attempt to do it.

Moreover, the National Center for Mental Health’s hotline in the Philippines reported that they received a spike of calls amidst the pandemic.

Based on their data, from around 300 – 400 calls in May 2019 to February 2020, it jumped to at least 1,000 calls from April to July. Majority of the calls are said to be anxiety-related concerns while 115 calls in July were suicide related.