MANILA — More than 400 participants gathered along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City early Sunday morning to mark World Suicide Prevention Day through a run aimed at breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and expanding support services for Filipinos nationwide.
Held alongside Quezon City's weekly Car-Free Sunday on September 20, the activity was organized by the Department of Health-Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH-MMCHD) in partnership with the Quezon City Local Government Unit.
Carrying the global theme, "Changing the Narrative on Suicide: Start the Conversation," the initiative sought to break the culture of silence surrounding suicide and promote open, compassionate dialogue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 720,000 people die by suicide globally each year.
RISING MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicate a continuing rise in mental health concerns in the country, with an estimated 3.6 million Filipinos experiencing mental, neurological, and substance-use (MNS) disorders.
Regional figures from 17 Metro Manila local government units mirror the growing demand for mental health intervention. DOH-MMCHD recorded 10,701 individuals registered across participating NCR facilities in 2025:
- Substance use-related disorders: 2,573 (24%)
- Other mental health conditions: 2,684 (25.1%)
- Depression: 2,404 (22.5%)
- Psychosis: 2,037 (19%)
- Child and adolescent mental and behavioral disorders: 536 (5%)
- Epilepsy: 388 (3.6%)
- Dementia: 77 (0.7%)
Health authorities stressed the importance of community-level interventions and accessible medical care to address these conditions early.
"Nandito tayo ngayon para liwanagin at bigyan ng kahalagahan ang nararamdaman ng bawat isa," said Dr. Janice Kathleen Malesido, OIC regional director of DOH-MMCHD.
"Let's start the conversation because this can change lives of those that have long been silent."
Malesido added that secondary and tertiary facilities remain available for specialized treatment, alongside established government access points: "We have also levels two and three facilities kung kinakailangan ng further treatment. Meron din tayong inaalok na mga open na mental health access sites kung saan nakukuha 'yung libreng gamot."
LOCALIZING SUPPORT AND EARLY DETECTION
To expand local capacities, DOH-MMCHD continues to roll out the Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP), training non-specialized health workers to identify and manage priority MNS conditions at the primary care level. In 2025 alone, 96,615 patients in Metro Manila were screened through mhGAP, with 67,452 receiving psychosocial interventions and 11,308 receiving pharmacological treatment.
In Quezon City, local health officials highlighted that community facilities are equipped to offer initial assistance, particularly for youth.
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"Dapat meron tayong pinagsasabihan, may kinakausap, may serbisyong dapat ibigay sa kanila," said Quezon City Health Officer Dr. Ramona Asuncion Abarquez.
"Meron ka dapat pinagsasabihan ng mga kailangan na maliliit na bagay na kailangan natin bigyan ng intervention. Baka kasi 'yung maliit na bagay ay maging malaki kapag hindi mo napapansin."
Abarquez added that all 66 health centers in Quezon City have personnel trained to address basic mental health needs, including specialized programs geared toward younger demographics.
"Para [rin] sa mga kabataan ito, in partnership with QC Youth Development Office, kasi tumataas na rin 'yung mga kabataan [with mental health problems]."
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COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND LISTENING
Runners and advocates who joined the morning event emphasized the critical role of listening and early empathy.
Patricia Mae David, a participant who left a message on the event's commitment board, noted that mental health struggles are often invisible until severe stages.
"Mahalaga na pinapakinggan natin 'yung mga hindi mapakinggan. Sabihin natin sa kanila na it's okay not to be okay and nandito tayo para sa kanila," David said.
"'Yung mental health, hindi siya 'yung physically nakikita. Kapag nag-manifest siya physically, more or less, late na siya or nandoon na siya sa critical na level. So as early as possible, we encourage na makinig sa kanila."
Another runner, Arman Panganiban, shared how public events help foster empathy within communities.
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"Mag-give way to others to know what mental health means," Panganiban said.
"Hindi naman natin alam mga pinagdadaanan ng bawat isa, so great way rin siya na magbigay ng idea kung may pinagdadaanan ba mga tao at kung ano 'yung mental state nila."
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance, you may reach the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline through 1553 (landline, toll-free) or 0919-057-1553 (mobile).
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