Amid rising mental health concerns
CEBU CITY – As mental health issues continue to rise, media outlets are being called upon to educate their audiences on suicide prevention rather than merely reporting on tragic incidents.
This was the central message from speakers at the Media Conference for Mental Health held in Cebu City, attended by 0 media practitioners from the Visayas.
Dr. Ma. Lourdes Rosanna de Guzman, a key speaker from the University of the Philippines – College of Medicine and the Philippine General Hospital, shared insights from the National Survey for Mental Health and Well-being conducted during the pandemic.
She urged reporters to shift their focus from sensationalizing suicides to promoting prevention, particularly by encouraging people to seek professional help.
“I would advise the media, in addition to practicing good ethics, to prioritize educating the public on suicide prevention. Your platforms reach far, especially among young people, so use that influence wisely,” she said.
de Guzman also emphasized the importance of thoughtful reporting, adding, “You must understand the purpose of your writing — to serve the public. It’s not about exaggerating or making the news sensational.”
She cited South Korea’s approach to reporting suicide, where media confirm the event without delving into details and respectfully request privacy for the families involved.
Freelance journalist and former health reporter Diana Mendoza echoed these sentiments, urging that suicide cases, particularly involving private individuals, should not be turned into headline stories.
“If the case involves an ordinary person, it’s often best not to include it in the news lineup unless necessary,” she said, adding that in cases involving public figures, reports should focus less on the method and more on prevention.
Mendoza also suggested that suicide-related articles include trigger warnings or editor’s notes, as well as helpline numbers to offer immediate support to readers who may be in distress.
Dr. Noel Reyes, chief of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), encouraged media to work hand in hand with health professionals in combating myths and misinformation surrounding mental health.
“You need to debunk common misconceptions — it’s not because the moon is full, someone bathed while menstruating, or went to bed with wet hair,” he stressed. “While we talk about destigmatizing mental illness, we need to demystify it first.”
He added that destigmatization should begin at home, with parents supporting their children when they open up about mental health struggles and encouraging them to seek professional help.
“To destigmatize mental illness, we need to discuss it openly,” Dr. Reyes reiterated.
The NCMH operates a 24/7 hotline that provides immediate assistance to individuals struggling with mental health issues.
Since its inception in May 2019, the hotline has received 83,655 calls, with 25,775 of them related to suicide.
Dr. Reyes noted that a significant spike in calls occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the ongoing mental health crisis.
The conference called on the media to harness their influence in spreading accurate information and offering support, emphasizing that responsible reporting can save lives. (ROEL T. AMAZONA)
