SENATOR Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. filed a bill that seeks to provide suicide intervention and prevention among the youth.

Senate Bill 1570 or the proposed Youth Suicide Prevention Act builds on the provisions of the Mental Health Act of 2018 which mandates the provision of mental health services, including mechanisms for suicide intervention, prevention and response strategies, with particular attention to the concerns of the youth.

The measure lays out specific mechanisms and programs in schools, particularly in the elementary and secondary education curriculum.

These mechanisms include a public education campaign not only among the youth but also those in their immediate environment, the employment of psychologists in every school and the conduct of regular counselling alignment sessions.

Revilla said that suicide cases surged at the height of the pandemic.

In 2020, 3,529 cases were recorded, the highest in 14 years, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Data from the World Health Organization showed that close to 800,000 people commit suicide every year and it is the third leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds.

“But WHO clarifies that suicide is preventable. Preventive measures include school-based interventions, early identification, treatment and care, training of health workers in the assessment and management of suicidal behavior,” Revilla said in his explanatory note.