August 22, 2019 • STI San Pablo

Social Media,

Canossa College
Depression and
Suicide:
Recognize the
Signs and Save a
Life
Mary Grace dlC. Laqui, RPm
DISCUSSION OUTLINE
What are
we going to
talk about
today?
Internet
Social Media
Cyberbullying
Mental Health: Depression
Suicide
Signs of Suicide Ideations
How to Approach a Suicidal Person
Where to get help
 INTERNET

How has the internet

changed the lifestyle
of Filipinos
• Freelance Work- a chance to work
from home
• Social Media- a chance to speak out
and listen
• Apps for Convenience- a chance to
navigate through life comfortably
 WHO ARE YOU ONLINE?
What is Social
Media?
forms of electronic communication
(such as websites for social
networking and microblogging) through
which users create online communities
to share information, ideas, personal
messages, and other content (such as
videos)
 CONNECT
To stay in touch with family/
friends (42%)

Why do people UPDATE

use social To stay updated with news and
current events (41%)
media?

OCCUPY
To fill up spare time (39%)

Source: GlobalWebIndex Q3 2017

 Filipinos still
world’s top social
media user
 Filipinos spend an average of 10 hours, 2
minutes on the internet via any device.
 Filipinos spend over 4 hours on social
media daily.
 90.97% of Filipinos are Facebook users.

Digital 2019: Global Digital Overview

S o u r c e : https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/01/31/19/filipinos-still-worlds-top-social-media-user-study
Source: https://wearesocial.com/special-reports/digital-in-2017-global-overview
PLATFORMS
MOST USED

BY FILIPINOS IN 2019
SOCIAL
MEDIA

Instagram
Facebook

Youtube
Filipinos thrive on
social media. But
why?
 Social media reflects the Filipinos’
sociable and friendly spirit.
 Social media provides platforms
for self-expression while making
connections at the same time.
 Social media provides easy
channels to feed curiosity and
voyeurism.
Sour ve: https://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/tech/2018/03/23/digipinoy-interview.html
 Social media helps us connect with
What are Social Media’s Ironies?
people far away BUT disconnects us
to people beside us.

ISN’T IT IRONIC?
Social media helps us introduce
ourselves to the world BUT also
helps us maintain anonymity.
 Cyberbullying
Technology-based
harassment
.
WHAT IT IS
Bullying that takes place over digital
devices like cellphones, computers,
etc.

WHAT ARE ITS EFFECTS? CYBERBULLYING

• Psychological distress: depression,
anxiety, paranoia, eating disorders,
etc.
• Absenteeism & low performance in
school or work
• Social Withdrawal
 70%
CYBERBULLYING AFFECTS

According to UNICEF (2019):

OF YOUTH WORLDWIDE

 20% of children and young people indicate fear of

cyber bullies made them reluctant to go to school
 5% reported self-harm
 3% reported an attempt of suicide as a direct result
of cyber bullying
 Young people are found to be twice as likely to be
bullied on FB as any other social networking site.
 28% of young people have reported incidents of
cyber bullying on Twitter
 26% of young people have reported incidents of
cyber bullying on Ask.fm
 S o u r c e : https://www.inhousecommunity.com/article/cyber-bullying-philippines/
WHAT IT IS
Legal implication under Philippine
Laws against Bullying, including those
uttered online.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED
The Anti-Bullying BULLYING UNDER THIS ACT?
written, verbal or electronic
Act of 2013 expression, or a physical act or gesture:
(RA 10627)  placing reasonable fear of physical
or emotional harm or damage to
property
 creating a hostile environment at
school
 infringing on the rights of another
 materially or substantially
disrupting the education process
 MAKE SURE YOU DON’T
 use social media to complain or
vent frustrations
 share personal pictures or
How to be a information that will reflect
badly on you
responsible  announce when you’re on
holiday (and leaving your home
social media empty)
 express concerns about others,
user even if you think you are
anonymous
 connect with people you don’t
personally know, or at least
without there being a purpose
for the connection
 forget to log out of shared
THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK! machines
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

AM I A RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL
MEDIA USER?

(Unfreezer)
DEPRESSION
3.3 Million  300 million people around the
Filipinos suffer

demographics
Depression
world have depression.
from depressive  Prevalance: 18-25 years old
disorders  Over 50% of people suffering from
depression also suffer from
anxiety.
 60% of suicide cases are
depression related
 Women are 2x more likely to
develop depression than men.
 8.7% of women have depression
 5.3% of men have depression
 35% of adults with depression do
not receive treatment

Source: World Health Organization

Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but
it is more common and also more hard to bear. The
frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases
the burden: it is easier to say “My tooth is aching”
than to say “My heart is broken”.

-C.S LEWIS
 Major Depressive
Disorder/ Major
Depression Depression/ Clinical
Depression
Defining

low mood and/or loss of interest and pleasure in

usual activities, as well as other symptoms. The
symptoms are experienced most days and last for
at least two weeks. Symptoms of depression
interfere with all areas of a person's life, including
work and social relationships.

The Symptoms of
Depression
(DSM V)
at least two weeks of a
depressed mood or loss of
interest or pleasure in almost
all activities (anhedonia), as
well as at least five other
symptoms, such as:
1. Depressed mood or irritable most of the day,
nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective
report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation
made by others (e.g., appears tearful).
2. Decreased interest or pleasure in most activities,
most of each day
3. Significant weight change (5%) or change in
appetite
4. Change in sleep: Insomnia or hypersomnia
5. Change in activity: Psychomotor agitation or
retardation
6. Fatigue or loss of energy
7. Guilt/worthlessness: Feelings of worthlessness or
excessive or inappropriate guilt
8. Concentration: diminished ability to think or
concentrate, or more indecisiveness
9. Suicidality: Thoughts of death or suicide, or has
suicide plan
(Present nearly everyday)
Social
Observable
May range from being quiet to being
withdrawn and aggressive impairments/
implications

Educational/ Occupational Suicidal Ideation

May range from decreased effort and May range from vague or occasional
deteriorating grades to absenteeism attempts to frequently considered
and failing marks and planned
 SUICIDE Every 40
10th leading cause of death in seconds,
someone dies
SUICIDE &
the United States; 2 nd
leading cause of death by suicide.
among people aged 10-34
years
HARM

Brought by a mix of social

SELF

and biological factors BUT

Suicide in the studies found that
Philippines disconnectedness and
deterioration of relationships
Lowest among Asian brought by social media and
countries technology is one of the
most common factors.
 FEMALE MALE

ATTEMPT TO COMMIT COMPLETES ATTEMPTS

SUICIDE TWICE AS OFTEN FOUR TIMES AS LIKELY
AS MALES; USES AS FEMALES; USES
SLASHING/ OVERDOSE AS HANGING/ JUMPING/
MOST COMMON SHOOTING AS MOST
METHODS COMMON METHODS
  Mental disorders
 Addictions to alcohol or other drugs
 A serious physical illness
 A major loss (such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a relationship or job)
 Serious legal or financial problems
 A history of trauma or abuse

Suicide Risk Factors

 Warning Signs of Suicide
 Talking about suicide – Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as “I
wish I hadn’t been born,” “If I see you again…” and “I’d be better off dead.”
 Seeking out lethal means – Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other
objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
 Preoccupation with death – Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence.
Writing poems or stories about death.
 No hope for the future – Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being
trapped (“There’s no way out”). Belief that things will never get better or
change.
 Self-loathing, self-hatred – Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-
hatred. Feeling like a burden (“Everyone would be better off without me”).
 Getting affairs in order – Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions.
Making arrangements for family members.
 Saying goodbye – Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends.
Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again.
 Withdrawing from others – Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing
social isolation. Desire to be left alone.
 Self-destructive behavior – Increased alcohol or drug use, reckless driving,
unsafe sex. Taking unnecessary risks as if they have a “death wish.”
 Sudden sense of calm – A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being
extremely depressed can mean that the person has made a decision to
attempt suicide.
1. START WITH
“I have been feeling concerned about
you lately.”
“Recently, I have noticed some
differences in you and wondered how
you are doing.”
“I wanted to check in with you
because you haven’t seemed yourself
2. ASK
“When did you begin feeling like this?”
“Did something happen to make you
start feeling this way?”
“How can I best support you right
now?”
“Have you thought about getting
help?”

PREVENTION
lately.”

3. WORDS THAT
HELP
HOW TO

SUICIDE
“You are not alone in this. I’m here for
you.”
“You may not believe it now, but the TALK TO
way you’re feeling will change.”
“I may not be able to understand SOMEONE
exactly how you feel, but I care about
you and want to help.”
WHO IS
“When you want to give up, tell
yourself you will hold off for just one
SUICIDAL
more day, hour, minute—whatever
you can manage.”
 DO’s
 Be yourself. Let the person know you care, that he/she
is not alone. The right words are often unimportant. If
you are concerned, your voice and manner will show it.
 Listen. Let the suicidal person unload despair, vent
anger. No matter how negative the conversation
seems, the fact that it is taking place is a positive sign.
 Be sympathetic, non-judgmental, patient, calm,
accepting. Your friend or family member is doing the
right thing by talking about his/her feelings.
 Offer hope. Reassure the person that help is available
and that the suicidal feelings are temporary. Let the
person know that his or her life is important to you.
 Take the person seriously. If the person says things
like, “I’m so depressed, I can’t go on,” ask the question:
“Are you having thoughts of suicide?” You are not
putting ideas in their head; you are showing that you
are concerned, that you take them seriously, and that
it’s OK for them to share their pain with you.
DON’Ts
• Argue with the suicidal person. Avoid saying things
like: “You have so much to live for,” “Your suicide will
hurt your family,” or “Look on the bright side.”
• Act shocked, lecture on the value of life, or say that
suicide is wrong.
• Promise confidentiality. Refuse to be sworn to
secrecy. A life is at stake and you may need to speak
to a mental health professional in order to keep the
suicidal person safe. If you promise to keep your
discussions secret, you may have to break your word.
• Offer ways to fix their problems, or give advice, or
make them feel like they have to justify their suicidal
feelings. It is not about how bad the problem is, but
how badly it’s hurting your friend or loved one.
• Blame yourself. You can’t “fix” someone’s
depression. Your loved one’s happiness, or lack
thereof, is not your responsibility.
 EVALUATE THE IMMEDIATE
DANGER.
Those at the highest risk for committing suicide in
the near future have a specific suicide PLAN, the
MEANS to carry out the plan, a TIME SET for doing it,
and an INTENTION to do it.

IF SUICIDE ATTEMPT IS
IMMINENT
Respond

Call someone, a local crisis center, or take the person

Quickly

to the emergency room.

REMOVE LETHAL OBJECTS FROM

THE VICINITY.
Do not leave the person alone.
 CONTINUE TO OFFER HELP
ENCOURAGE
PROFESSIONAL
HELP
Encourage the person to see a
mental health professional,
help locate a treatment
facility, or take them to a
doctor’s appointment.
FOLLOW UP ON
TREATMENT
If the doctor prescribes
medication, make sure your
friend or loved one takes it as
directed.
BE PROACTIVE
Don’t wait for the person to
call you or even to return your
calls. Drop by, call again, invite
the person out.
 CONSULTATION/
TREATMENTS

WHO TO UP-PGH

CALL DEPARTMENT OF
PSYCHIATRY &
BEHAVIORAL
MEDICINE
(02) 554-8400

NATIONAL QC GENERAL
CENTER FOR HOSPITAL
MENTAL HEALTH
(02) 426-1314
(CRISIS HOTLINE)
0917-899-USAP (8727)
0917-989-8727