I.

Nature of Suicide

A. Suicide
Suicide is the intentional taking of ones life. Presently in western society it is
considered a mental health issue in which psychological stress either due to depression,
fear, a sense of helplessness because of devastating debilitating disease. It is estimated
that over 1 million people per year commit suicide. It is one of the leading causes if death
among teenagers and young adults (under age of 35). Asia has the most suicides,
accounting for approximately 60% worldwide. In western society, males commit more
suicides than females, although females attempt suicide more frequently. Men tend to use
methods which are irreversible once placed in motion (shouting them, etc.). Women are
more apt to use methods such as sleeping pills, cutting their wrists, etc.

B. Reasons
1. They're depressed. This is without question the most common reason people commit
suicide. Severe depression is always accompanied by a pervasive sense of suffering as
well as the belief that escape from it is hopeless. The pain of existence often becomes too
much for severely depressed people to bear. The state of depression warps their thinking,
allowing ideas like "Everyone would all be better off without me" to make rational sense.
They shouldn't be blamed for falling prey to such distorted thoughts any more than a
heart patient should be blamed for experiencing chest pain: it's simply the nature of their
disease. Because depression, as we all know, is almost always treatable, we should all
seek to recognize its presence in our close friends and loved ones. Often people suffer
with it silently, planning suicide without anyone ever knowing. Despite making both
parties uncomfortable, inquiring directly about suicidal thoughts in my experience almost
always yields an honest response. If you suspect someone might be depressed, don't
allow your tendency to deny the possibility of suicidal ideation prevent you from asking
about it.
2. They're psychotic. Malevolent inner voices often command self-destruction for
unintelligible reasons. Psychosis is much harder to mask than depression, and is arguably
even more tragic. The worldwide incidence of schizophrenia is 1% and often strikes
otherwise healthy, high-performing individuals, whose lives, though manageable with
medication, never fulfill their original promise. Schizophrenics are just as likely to talk
freely about the voices commanding them to kill themselves as not, and also, in my
experience, give honest answers about thoughts of suicide when asked directly.
Psychosis, too, is treatable, and usually must be treated for a schizophrenic to be able to

3.

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6.

function at all. Untreated or poorly treated psychosis almost always requires hospital
admission to a locked ward until the voices lose their commanding power.
They're impulsive. Often related to drugs and alcohol, some people become maudlin and
impulsively attempt to end their own lives. Once sobered and calmed, these people
usually feel emphatically ashamed. The remorse is often genuine, but whether or not
they'll ever attempt suicide again is unpredictable. They may try it again the very next
time they become drunk or high, or never again in their lifetime. Hospital admission is
therefore not usually indicated. Substance abuse and the underlying reasons for it are
generally a greater concern in these people and should be addressed as aggressively as
possible.
They're crying out for help, and don't know how else to get it. These people don't usually
want to die but do want to alert those around them that something is seriously wrong.
They often don't believe they will die, frequently choosing methods they don't think can
kill them in order to strike out at someone who's hurt them, but they are sometimes
tragically misinformed. The prototypical example of this is a young teenage girl suffering
genuine angst because of a relationship, either with a friend, boyfriend, or parent, who
swallows a bottle of Tylenol, not realizing that in high enough doses Tylenol causes
irreversible liver damage. I've watched more than one teenager die a horrible death in an
ICU days after such an ingestion when remorse has already cured them of their desire to
die and their true goal of alerting those close to them of their distress has been achieved.
They have a philosophical desire to die. The decision to commit suicide for some is based
on a reasoned decision, often motivated by the presence of a painful terminal illness from
which little to no hope of reprieve exists. These people aren't depressed, psychotic,
maudlin, or crying out for help. They're trying to take control of their destiny and
alleviate their own suffering, which usually can only be done in death. They often look at
their choice to commit suicide as a way to shorten a dying that will happen regardless. In
my personal view, if such people are evaluated by a qualified professional who can
reliably exclude the other possibilities for why suicide is desired, these people should be
allowed to die at their own hands.
They've made a mistake. This is a recent, tragic phenomenon in which typically young
people flirt with oxygen deprivation for the high it brings and simply go too far. The only
defense against this, it seems to me, is education.

C. How It Affect Others

Parents
- The suicide of a child can raise painful questions, doubts and fears. You may
question why your love was not enough to save your child and may fear that
others will judge you to be an unfit parent. Both questions may raise strong
feelings of failure. Many bereaved parents wrestle with these feelings but in

time come to a place where they understand their child made the choice to end
their life.
Siblings
- When you lose a brother or a sister, you lose someone who shared many
experiences and memories and who you may have expected to be with you for
most of your life. Many siblings share a deep, protective connection. You may
feel very guilty that you did not do enough to help them or that you are still
alive when they are not.
Friends and Colleagues
- If they were a close friend you will grieve for their loss and may wonder if
you could have done something to prevent their death. If your relationship
was more formal (e.g. they were an employee), you may wonder if somehow
you contributed to their distress. This may affect your confidence and impact
your ability to manage others.
Extended family
- Other family members may not realise the depth of your grief indeed they
may look to you to provide practical help and support. However it can be very
supportive to let them know how loved and appreciated the deceased was,
when you feel that the time is right to share.
Partners
- Losing the person you have chosen to share your life with can destroy your
hopes and expectations for the future. When you lose a partner to suicide it is
not unusual to experience strong feelings of rejection or betrayal a sense that
they broke your shared commitment, that they chose to leave you or that they
did not feel that they could look to you for help.
Society
D. Statistics
Philippines
The suicide rate among Filipinos has gone up in the last 21 years with the
majority of cases involving young people aged 24 years old and below, according to
studies. They also showed that in most instances, the person who committed suicide did
so during summer or in the morning when all family members had gone off to work or
school, leaving the house empty. Based on records culled from the National Statistics
Office, the suicide rate from 1984 to 2005 went up from 0.46 to seven out of every
200,000 men. On the other hand, it jumped from 0.24 to two for every 200,000 women.
While the figures might seem insignificant compared with those from neighboring
countries that recorded the highest suicide rates, the numbers have gone up from 1984 to

2005, especially among the Filipino youth, said Dr. Dinah Nadera, a psychiatrist and an
associate professor of the University of the Philippines Open University who has been
working on a suicide. Meanwhile, a study of around 300 cases collected from the records
of hospitals and the police in 2008 and 2009 also revealed that the majority of suicides
were carried out at home during summer, particularly during the Lenten season when
Catholics observe fasting, prayer and penitence. The study also showed that the leading
methods chosen by those who decided to end their lives was hanging, strangulation and
suffocation. For those who tried to kill themselves but ended up just sustaining injuries,
the preferred means ranged from self-poisoning (mainly ingestion of silver cleaner) to
exposure to other unspecified chemicals and noxious substances. Nadera also noted that
not all cases were due to depression. She stressed that while it might be a contributory
factor, other factors could lead to a persons decision to end ones life such as low income
and unemployment, medical conditions such as heart diseases and cancer; and marital
status. A rising number of cases has also been observed among married women compared
to single women.
Iloilo

Suicide cases in Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Iloilo Provincial Police Office
(IPPO)- January 2010 December 2014
Most of the suicide victims were young adults, 19-40 yrs old, male, single, unemployed
There are 78 recorded cases
Most incidents happened between sunrise to midday (6 AM - 12 noon), residence
Methods: 80% by hanging
Most victims communicated their intention to commit suicide
Family/marital relationship problems topped the precipitating factors
Socio-demographic risk factors: young adult, male, single, unemployed.
Presence of mental illness topped the health-related risks

E. TIPS - theories
Frederick Perls - Here and Now
This is Perls term for the present. Another way to increase awareness is to live in and be
conscious of the present moment rather than live our lives tied to the past or in hopes of a
better future. According to Perls, Nothing exists except the here and now... The past is
no more. The future is not yet.. You should live in the here and now.
Viktor Frankl - Finding Meaning in our Life
Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must
recognise that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can
only answer to life by answering for his own life. ... to life he can only respond by being
responsible (Frankl, 2006, p. 108/109)

Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and
purpose. Viktor E. Frankl
The Stone Group - Connections
Always exists between self and other, as well as between self and the larger natural
world.
II.

The churchs perception on suicide

A. Bible
1. Old Testament
God has a great plan for your life. God has created us in His image (Genesis 1:2627). He created us for a purpose. God has a specific plan in mind for everyone.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and
not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's plan is for life, not death. The Bible teaches that both physical and spiritual
death is the result of our sin and disobedience to God, but eternal life is a gift to those
who receive it.
2. New Testament
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord (Romans 6:23).
Jesus taught that death and destruction are the work of the thief (Satan). He
said, the thief comes only to steal and destroy (John 10:10). John 8:44 says that Satan
is a murderer and the father of lies. The feelings of despair that lead to suicide are
caused by some of his lies. Jesus wants us to have life. He said: The thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the
full (John 10:10).
Life belongs to God. It is never our place to take our own life or someone else's
life. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you,
whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a
price. Therefore honor God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
B. CCC
2280 Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God
who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gracefully and

preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of
the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.
2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and
perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of
neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other
human societies to which we continue to have obligation. Suicide is contrary to love for
the living God.
2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the
young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary cooperation in suicide is contrary
to the moral law.
Grave psychological disturbances, anguish or grave fear of hardship, suffering or
torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.
2883 We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their
own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary
repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.

C. CFC
Suicide, expresses a total loss of will to survive that results from extreme
depression and despair. Rather than an act of deliberate malice, suicide most often
seems to be some of psychological short circuit which involves running away
from a life that has become impossible, and from a God who seems completely
absent. As Christians, we must do all in our power to help those tempted to take
their own lives, to recognize Gods personal love for them, and to continue to
hope in the Lord.
D. Encyclical
To defend and promote all of human life, to show reverence and love for it, is a
task which God entrusts to each of us. Life is always a good Human life is always a good
because it comes from God, sharing in his very breath of life. We are Gods gift, image
and imprint. Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative
action of God and it remains forever in special relationship with the Creator, who is its
sole end. Human life is inviolable; no one can claim the right to destroy directly an
innocent human being. Suicide Suicide is always morally objectionable. While certain
psychological, cultural and social conditions may induce a person to such an action and

thus lessen subjective responsibility, objectively suicide is a gravely immoral act. To

concur with the intention of another person to commit suicide and to help in carrying it
out is to co-operate in and at times to be the actual perpetrator of an injustice which can
never be excused even if it is requested.
E. Combating Suicide
Suicide Loss Ministry
(San Diego, California)
The purpose of Aftershock is to help families and friends who have lost someone they
love to suicide, to cultivate and ensure that the light of Jesus continues to shine through
their grief. To be able to share their grief openly and to use God's Word to be the guide
through their grief.
The Prevention Plan
If you are in the midst of a turbulent relationship ... if you are seriously wanting to harm
someone ... if you are contemplating suicide, plan now to avoid making the same type of
impetuous, overpowering choices that can only cause immeasurable pain choices that
are irreversibly permanent. Before you are tempted to take violent action, decide now

Suicide
Presented to:
Ms. Solly Rose Janpongan

Theology Teacher

Presented by:
Bebbien S. Calicaran
Claire Dorothy E. Castillon
Dianne S. Codilla
Alerie Jean L. Gimeno
Bianca Gwyneth P. Magarzo
Psych 3-A