Suicide is not funny

The Mactan Cebu Bridge Management Board convened again after receiving various complaints on its ban of allowing entry to bicycles. It cited that riding an unmotorized vehicle on a national highway such as the bridge (being maintained by the Department of Public Works and highways) is against the law. On top of that, the board cited that it is also dangerous for those riding bicycles to mix with the normal traffic flow. The move stemmed from the CCTV footage of an alleged suicide incident in which a person who, prior to jumping off the bridge, rode his bicycle.

This enraged a lot of sectors and netizens, criticizing the decision of Governor Gwen Garcia. It got me thinking too that those who only have a bicycle as a means of transportation would be left to wait until they will be allowed to pass through the bridge. However, after listening to various sectors talk, I realized that it has good intention. Lightweight bicycles are indeed in danger when they are going with the ordinary vehicles that run up to 40kph on the bridge. But the suicide issue is a different story.

I agree that we have to address the problem of suicide to its roots, rather than preventing everyone to use the bridge. The venue has become very iconic because there have been suicide acts done on the said site, which resulted in fatalities. I believe in the principle of copying where a person who feels the same inside, such as being helpless, would resort to whatever they see or hear through media. But killing oneself has never been the issue. Even I, myself, had a stage of depression and the thought of it also crossed my mind but I became stronger by the people around me.

I know I needed help, so I asked for it. Simple as that but it is easier said than done. The challenge now is how to be relevant in this society full of people who resort to suicide? Be a friend, be a shoulder to lean on. I know that MCBMB is calling on to volunteer social workers and psychologists to be at the bridge to talk to these people in help but in our own ways, we can always give a little check up to our friends. Send that wave on messenger, call, text, and set a date over coffee. It means a lot to talk the problem out, rather than hiding it all inside.

Mental health has always been an issue especially today with the rampant use of technology and the absence of real talk. We need to bring this back to the table and to the household. Suicide is not funny, at all. We scoff at those who attempted to take their life and failed, even call them stupid at that. But no, it is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. At this point, we need open minds and eyes to be there for one another. It is high time to be wary of what we say, and be sensitive to other peoples' needs.