GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health–Center for Health and Development (DOH-CHD) in Soccsksargen has recently trained some 50 media partners, campus journalists, and communication professionals from General Santos City and South Cotabato on ethical reporting of suicide incidents and mental health issues.
Held in General Santos City, the three-day workshop aimed to promote ethical reporting to prevent disinformation, reduce stigma, and lower suicide risks pursuant to the DOH National Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention and Control.
Dr. Dinah Palmera P. Nadera, a part-time faculty member at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health who served as the resource speaker, emphasized the importance of avoiding the sensationalization of suicide cases to prevent “copycat” incidents.
“We have what we call the right language in suicide reporting. We do not use terms like ‘successful suicide’ or ‘completed suicide’ because they imply a goal. We must be very careful with language, not only in terms of technicality but also in addressing the stigma associated with it,” Nadera told participants.
In 2024, the DOH reported that 146 lives were lost to suicide in the Soccsksargen region, highlighting the urgent need for improved mental health support and responsible communication.
Nadera also told participants to refrain from making assumptions about the reasons behind suicide.
“Not all mental health conditions are related to suicide deaths, and at the same time, not all suicide deaths are caused by mental health conditions. When we make assumptions, we are being unfair not only to the person who died but also to their family,” she explained.
She then emphasized the importance of providing accurate information, complying with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act, and exercising caution when interviewing individuals who have been affected by suicide.
Nadera also urged journalists to include information on where to seek help in suicide reports to promote help-seeking behavior and remind the public that support is accessible.
“Whenever we talk about suicide, we should inform the public that if someone they know exhibits warning signs, they must contact somebody. Having a regional helpline is crucial because help is available,” she said.
Meanwhile, Alex Josol from Radyo Bandera News Gensan expressed his gratitude to the DOH, stating that the training has significantly impacted him, as it has served as an eye-opener for journalists like him.
“Malaki talaga ang tulong na nakuha namin sa DOH [orientation], because we can shift now from negative reporting into positive. Pwede naman ‘yun without necessarily compromising our media format,” he said.
(The DOH orientation was a great help, because we can shift now from negative reporting into positive. We can do that without necessarily compromising our media format.)
The DOH-CHD Soccsksargen continues to promote responsible media reporting and comprehensive mental health education as part of its commitment to enhancing public health and well-being in the region, said Dr. Adimelca Gangoso, the Non-Communicable Disease Cluster head of the agency.
She expressed the hope that by empowering media professionals with knowledge and ethical guidelines, there will be “a culture of understanding and support” for individuals struggling with mental health issues in Soccsksargen. (AMB – PIA Region 12)
