tv5's bitag, hosted by mr. ben tulfo, sent apple meneses and cyril piernas to interview me on why suicides make frequent news these days.
what comes to mind is the phenomenon called "copycat suicides." this phenomenon occurs when a person successfully commits suicide, which emboldens other depressed people to follow suit. copycat suicides happen particularly when a popular person (such as a tv personality, public figure, or even a fictional character in a book or movie) commits suicide, or when media sensationalizes a particular suicidal incident.
the lesson here is for media to be responsible enough by not sensationalizing suicide cases and by not making frequent news reports on suicide. depressed people get emboldened to act on their suicidal tendencies when they know that others have successfully done it.
i have written a number of blog articles about suicide which you might want to review:
- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2012/07/major-depression-and-suicide-therapy.html
- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2012/04/depression-and-suicide-in-teens-and.html
- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2011/06/major-depression-in-philippines-and.html
- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2011/02/depression-treatment-and-suicide.html
- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2010/10/depression-treatment-therapy-in.html
if you are depressed and having thoughts of hurting yourself, call 415-6529 or 415-7964 RIGHT NOW and set an appointment at the soonest time. the earlier you get help, the quicker you'll recover from your depression!
