Rising suicide cases alarm Baguio officials

BAGUIO CITY — Local mental health authorities have raised alarm over the rising number of suicide cases among residents and non-residents in the city.

According to Ricky Ducas, mental health coordinator of the City Health Services Office (CHSO), 35 suicide-related deaths were recorded from January to September this year — higher than the 29 cases logged during the same period in 2024.

Of the reported cases, 25 were male victims.

Ducas noted that most of this year’s cases involved Baguio residents, reversing last year’s trend when more victims were from outside the city.

He cited online gambling, financial struggles, and family-related personal crises as among the leading causes of suicide.

Ducas said the increase remains a serious concern for health authorities, prompting intensified city-wide mental health awareness efforts.

He urged residents to immediately report signs of depression or anxiety in individuals so they could be referred to mental health professionals before tragedies occur.

“Suicide is preventable if early symptoms are properly addressed,” Ducas stressed.