The man has been identified as Cyrill Cris Biascan Organo, a technician working for a lights and sounds firm in the city. Police investigators are eyeing depression as the cause of Organo's suicide. The Baguio Herald Express reported that Organo and his live-in partner just recently went their separate ways. Organo sought reconciliation but the latter refused. This may have caused him a lot of stress which led to depression. Organo and his former live-in partner have two kids.
Before he committed suicide, Organo reportedly sent his former partner via Facebook a photo of an electrical cord hanging from the ceiling of his rented room. Concerned, his former partner got hold of Organo's landlady and asked her to check on him. That's when the landlady found the lifeless body of Organo in his room.
Here's a fact worth pondering upon. Data from the World Health Organization shows that there are nearly 5 million Filipinos who are going through bouts of depression. This is the highest in Southeast Asia. The sad part is that the Philippine government doesn't offer much when it comes to dealing with this problem.
Here's what's even more saddening. Data from the Philippine Psychiatric Association shows that there are only around 500 psychiatrists in the country. You don't need to do the math to see how small this number is in the context of the millions of Filipinos who are depressed,
Support for people going through depression.
The first ever suicide hotline in the Philippines was established only a few years ago by a non-government organization, the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation. The foundation has what it calls a Hopeline which you can call for support and help whenever you feel down. The hotline numbers are available on their website here.
What to do if you're depressed.
Seek support. Talk to friends. Talk to a doctor. See a psychiatrist. Call the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation and talk to them, they'll listen. For more information on how to deal with depression, here's a good resource.
