Trigger warning: mentions of suicide
A client told me, “Galingas ko kay ayha ra gyud ko makakuha og attention sa akong ginikanan [I make deviant actions because it is the only time I get attention from my parents],” said Jaymee Leonen-Pagaspas, City Psychosocial Division head of the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Cagayan de Oro.
If families have deviant children, maybe it’s just a call for attention, so invest in quality time, the city psychologist said.
Many mental health cases in Cagayan de Oro have a level of depression. “When we talk about mental health, it is more of the multitude of disorders, although for a very long time mental health had been equated to depression. That is why in Cagayan de Oro City, most mental health cases have an element of depression because that is the majority of cases here and even worldwide, but strictly speaking, it is different,” Pagaspas explained.
There are four Ds to remember when dealing with someone with depression or suicidal attempts: (1) Deviance; (2) Distress; (3) Dysfunction; and (4) Danger.
“Deviance, naay kalahi-an sa atong naandan nga lihok o pamaagi, batasan sa atong kaugalingon [there is a change in attitude and pattern of behavior] to the point that it is causing us discomfort or we are disturbed by it,” Pagaspas said.
The second “D” is distress. Pagaspas said it happens when people are worried about why they are not the same as before. “Why don’t I have the same energy as before? Why don’t I have the interest and urge to go to school? Why is it that no matter what I do, I cannot get out of my problem?”
The psychologist said that when these questions begin to cloud people’s minds, they worry that they no longer function as the normal human beings that they used to be because that is the third D, dysfunction.
Dysfunction means a person is not adept at fulfilling his or her roles and responsibilities, whether it’s an occupation, being a student or worker, or with their relationships. They would prefer to be alone and do not want to engage with or talk to others because they are afraid they would inflict their negative feelings on others.
“Lastly, the fourth D comes in, which is danger. Because of all these frustrating changes that’s happening in you and you feel helpless about them, you begin to entertain thoughts about ending your life,” Pagaspas added.
Hormone changes and imbalances are what cause the illness, and these imbalances also cause an increase in the presence of unfavorable thoughts, which feeds the idea of danger.
“Sa pagkakaron man gud, there is still that misnomer that death by suicide is something done purely out of choice. It is not purely by choice; naay daghan elemento nga ga interplay, and gusto pud nako mapasabot sa tanan nga ang atong mga igsuon nga gabati ani nga sakit gapaningkamot man sila nga labanan [As of now, there is still the misnomer that death by suicide is something done purely out of choice. It is not purely by choice; there are many elements that interplay, and I want to explain that our brothers and sisters who have this illness try so hard to fight it],” Pagaspas said.
Just like other illnesses, early detection is key.
CSWDO campaigns for education and awareness, specifically suicide prevention, because “I think the reason why it is becoming so rampant is because people still misunderstand it,” she said.
There is a steady increase in suicide; this significant rise began even prior to COVID in 2019. “That is why we did a lot of campaigns already, as early as 2019, but it increased exponentially post-COVID, and we thought post-pandemic, mawala na [it will be gone],” the psychologist explained.
Not everyone is as blessed with a supportive family and community.
Adolescents and depressive symptoms
Delayed gratification is the capacity to wait for your rewards. It is during adolescence that many people experience the onset of depressive symptoms.
Adolescents are “turbulent” times because there are hormonal changes that facilitate rapid physical growth, and the last thing that develops is cognition, or emotional growth.
That is why adolescents tend to be impulsive by nature.
They tend to act on what they want, but this is in an environment where they grew up not knowing how to wait. Because everything is done online, any discomfort or delay would be depressing to the young ones.
“Our purpose is to be there, to encourage the client to, number one, have an outlet, and second, to wait it out because this surge of emotions will die down if you give it time, sleep, and good long breathing so the information is processed properly by your brain,” Pagaspas said.
Severe cases may require medication; it is not because they are hardheaded and they do not listen, but because there is an imbalance in their hormones that causes them to develop negative thoughts.
Pagapas stressed that there is hope out there if people see it and open their minds. While spirituality plays a big role, it cannot only be attributed to spirituality.
She further urged people to ask questions, especially the youth. How is your day today? What happened in your day today that made you happy? Were there bad things that happened to you today? How did you overcome it? Can I help you with anything today?
“The way you ask your questions already presents yourself as an ally. It is also a matter of structuring your questions, because when you ask the right questions, you get the right answers,” said Pagaspas.
In navigating the complex landscape of mental health, Pagaspas encourages a holistic understanding of deviant behavior, recognizing it as a potential call for attention or a silent cry for help. By addressing the emotional needs underlying such actions, communities can contribute to fostering mental well-being and creating a supportive environment for those in need.
In case you or someone you’re acquainted with needs help, you may contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 or 1800-1888-1553 (Nationwide landline toll-free) or reach out to 0917-899-8727, 0966-351-4518 (Globe/TM), or 0908-639-2672 (Smart/Sun/TNT). Additionally, you may also contact the DOH Health Promotions Bureau at [email protected] or call 8651-7800 local 2830 or 2825. You may also reach out to the DOH Communication Unit at [email protected] or call 8651-7800 local 1136, or the DOH Special Care Division at [email protected] or call 8651-7800 local 1733. (JMOR, edited by RTP/PIA-10)
Jaymee Leonen-Pagaspas, head, City Psychosocial Division, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Cagayan de Oro City urges families to give quality time to their loved ones as part of the awareness and prevention campaign of suicide cases in Cagayan de Oro City in Talakayan sa PIA at SM City Uptown. (RDM/PIA10)
