SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has filed a resolution directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into suicide prevention efforts in the Philippines.

Hontiveros’ Senate Resolution No. 197 seeks to identify the factors contributing to suicide, assess the challenges in current government initiatives, and recommend policy and legislative interventions to establish an effective National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

According to the resolution, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority from 2015 to 2019 show that the highest incidence of suicide occurred among individuals aged 20-24, while the sharpest increases were observed among those aged 15-19—highlighting an alarming trend among young people.

The Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study also revealed a dramatic rise in suicide attempts among youth, from 574,000 in 2013 to 1.5 million in 2021.

The study found that only one in ten young people were aware of existing suicide prevention programs, underscoring a significant gap in information dissemination and mental health literacy.

Hontiveros noted that comprehensive, longitudinal studies examining the underlying causes of suicide in the Philippines remain limited, hindering evidence-based policy development and the formulation of targeted interventions.

She added that prevention efforts across government agencies remain fragmented, with programs under the Mental Health Act, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-being Promotion Act, and the Department of Health’s crisis hotline operating without a unified, cohesive national suicide prevention strategy.