From Jan. 1 to March 23 this year, 111 confirmed suicide cases were recorded in Metro Manila alone, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.
The NCRPO, in releasing the statement on Wednesday, noted that the figure is three times higher than the 33 suicide cases recorded in the same period in 2025. The police steps in when suicide is reported, to ensure that it is a genuine case of self-harm, with no foul play involved.
In its statement, the NCRPO reported that many suicide cases “stem from emotional distress, relationship issues, financial pressure or personal loss.”
It also linked the increase in suicides to bullying particularly online, and the weakness in regulating gaming platforms and social media.
The NCRPO stressed that suicides are preventable “when early indicators are recognized and addressed with compassion and prompt action.”
Many people who contemplate suicide, however, tend to conceal their depression particularly from their household members.
Intervention can be provided by mental health experts, but the country has an acute lack of such professionals, particularly in schools. Bullying, facilitated by social media, has become a serious problem among students, from adolescence all the way to higher education. In the latest case, a 15-year-old girl found in Pasig with a rope around her neck was declared by the police to be a suicide case.
To increase the number of mental health professionals, the government can provide incentives for students to pursue careers in this area. At the same time, organizations of mental health professionals can be tapped to train guidance counselors especially for public schools.
Exclusive private schools typically have mental health professionals and mental wellness programs for their students. In many public schools, however, teachers simply double as mental health counselors, even without proper training.
Mental health problems have been linked to poor academic performance as well as low productivity in the workplace. Left unchecked, the problems can worsen to suicide. The issue deserves a stronger response from both the government and the private sector.
If you or someone you know is contemplating self-harm, the National Center for Mental Health can be reached through crisis hotlines 1553 (Luzon toll-free landline), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518 and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website at https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline.
Hopeline PH may also be contacted for help at 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673 and 88044673. Access ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect via Facebook at Hopeline PH.