TACLOBAN CITY – Suicide incidents have been rising since last year than before the pandemic, the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here reported on Friday.

Police records show that last year, there were 145 suicide cases in the region’s six provinces compared to the 105 cases recorded in 2019.

For the first six months of 2021, 75 suicide cases were also reported to the police.

Of the 145 suicide victims in 2020, 118 were males and 27 were females. The youngest was a 10-year-old girl.

Other cases reported across the country were in Leyte with 47, followed by Northern Samar (20), Southern Leyte (19), Samar (17), Tacloban City (16), Ormoc City (nine), Eastern Samar (nine), and Biliran (eight).

For the first half of 2021, there were 68 male victims and seven females, the youngest known case involved a 13-year-old girl.

As reported to police stations, most of the victims suffered depression after dealing with personal and family concerns, financial difficulties, broken relationships, and illness.

Most of the victims committed suicide by hanging.

Winnie Dorego, DOH Eastern Visayas mental health program manager, said the number of cases is very disturbing considering that suicide incidents are preventable.

“Addressing mental health does not only lie on the health sector. I would like to reiterate to please stop the stigma as we need solidarity,” Dorego added.

Resting and avoiding negative news and information are ways of keeping away from getting stressed, keeping healthy and eating nutritious food and doing exercise, avoiding alcoholic drinks and smoking, and abstinence from illegal drugs can help a person maintain good mental health.

The official asked those suffering from depression to talk to trusted individuals, look for diversion like gardening or doing artworks, and seek help from health professionals.