Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5354

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the second leading
cause of death among people 15 to 29 years of age. The Philippines documented
2,053 cases of suicide in 2013. Among these, the 20 to 24 age bracket records the
highest number of suicide cases with 342. 2

‘These figures are lower than the annual global age-standardized suicide rate
of 11.4 per 100,000 population. However, it is likely that suicide cases are
underreported due to competing health problems and the associated negative stigma
against people with suicidal tendencies and their family.3

While suicide rates are low in the Philippines, the relatively high rates in
adolescents and young adults highlight the importance of focused suicide prevention
programs.

This bill takes the initial steps in preventing suicide among the youth. It
proposes to create the National Youth Prevention Coordinating Council which will
formulate programs and strategies for youth suicide early intervention, prevention,
and response. It also seeks to standardize technical assistance and data management
in order to evaluate prevention measures effectively.

For these reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

LFRED VARGAS

* Lapena, Carmela. (2015). “Special Report: Suicide and the Pinoy Youth.” GMA News Online, Available at:
http://www. gmanetwork.com/ni :24070/lifestyle/healthandwellness/special-report-suicid
the-pinoy-youth [Accessed 17 March 2017].

* Philippine Daily inquirer. (2016). “In the Know: Suicide Cases in the Philippines.” [online] Available at:
os ines [ Accessed 20 March

* Redaniel, M.T., et al. (2011). “Sui
Review.” BMC Public Health 2011,

the Philippines: Time Trend Analysis (1974-2005) and Literature
536.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No, 93854

Introduced by CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE EARLY YOUTH SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION
EXPANSION

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of the Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Youth Suicide
Prevention Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Under Article Il Section 13 of the 1987
Constitution, the State shall promote and protect the holistic well-being of the youth. In
view of this policy, the State shall promote programs that aim to increase public
awareness on the risk factors of suicide, prevention of suicide among the youth, and
develop a support mechanism to young individuals with suicidal tendencies.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -

(@) Eligible entity refers to State, political subdivision, public organization,
or private non-profit organization involved actively in youth suicide early
intervention and prevention activities and in the development and
continuation of nationwide youth suicide early intervention and
prevention strategies;

(>) Best evidence-based programs refer to programs that have undergone
scientific evaluation and proven to be effective;

(©) Educational Institution refers to institution of basic, technical and
higher education;

(@)__ Prevention refers to a strategy or approach that reduces the likelihood or
risk of onset, or delays the onset, of adverse health problems conditions,
or behaviors;


0)

10)

@)

Response refers to a strategy or approach that minimizes the harm
resulting from adverse conditions or actions, and/or reduces the
likelihood or risk of future undertaking or similar adverse behavior;

Youth refers to an individual between fifteen (15) and twenty nine (29)
years of age; and

Youth Suicide Program refers to youth suicide intervention, prevention
and response strategies;

SEC. 4. National Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council.~ There is
hereby created a Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council (hereinafter referred to
as the Council).

SEC. 5. Composition. - The Council shall be composed of representatives from
the following sectors:

(a)

(b)

©

Government - Senior government officials from each of the following
national government agencies: Department of Health (DOH), National
Youth Commission (NYC), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission
on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Social Work and
Development (DSWD);

‘Academe - Experts, scholars, and professionals officially affiliated with
duly recognized academic institutions, and are actively involved in the
research and practice of fields concerning mental health, counseling,
personality development and substance abuse;

Civil Society - Representatives from duly organized non-profit
organizations including, but not limited to, community-based
organizations, independent research institutions, medical and educational
associations and faith-based organizations actively involved in projects,
activities, and programs related to youth suicide intervention, prevention
and response.

‘The Council shall be headed by a Chairperson who must be selected by the
Secretary of Health and the Chairperson of the NYC.

SEC. 6. Functions. - The Council shall be tasked to perform the following

functions:

(@)

(b)

©

Identify specific youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and
response strategies which shall serve as the guideline for reducing the
risk of youth suicide in the country;

Conduct regular monitoring and review of the implementation of the said
strategies; and

Ensure adequate funding and efficient spending for the programs
concerning youth suicide.


SEC. 7. Youth Suicide Program - The Council shall formulate specific projects,
activities and programs (PAPs) designed to develop capacity of school authorities
community and household members for early detection of suicidal behavior, prevention
of youth suicide risk factors and provide proper support and response to youth
displaying suicidal behavior. These may include, but are not limited to, the following

strategies:

(a)

(b)

3)

(a)

(3)

0

(3)

Integration of mental health and personality development education into
the basic and higher education curricula;

Development of mental health and personality development training
modules and public campaigns to be implemented in communities,
juvenile justice systems, foster care systems and other youth support
organizations and establishments;

Formulation of parent education programs designed to increase family
support and capacity for household-based early detection, response and
prevention of youth suicide;

Coordination and assistance of local government units in formulating local
programs on early intervention, prevention and response strategies;

Development of targeted intervention strategies for high risk youth,
including those at risk of mental health problems, substance abuse
disorder and other associated risk factors of youth suicide;

Formulation of a youth suicide rehabilitation program that aims to
provide assistance to youth with previous history of suicidal behavior;
and

Adoption of other best evidence-based programs for early intervention,
prevention and response strategies identified by the Council

SEC. 8. Eligible Entities. - The Council shall identify eligible entities to be

awarded grants and other agreements to implement the youth suici

ide early intervention,

prevention and response strategies enumerated in Section 6 of this Act. In awarding
grants or other agreements, the Council shall give preference to eligible entities that;

(@)

(b)

©

provide early intervention services to youth in, and that are integrated
with, school systems, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems,
substance abuse programs, mental health programs, foster care systems
and other child and youth support organizations;

demonstrate collaboration among early intervention and prevention
services or certify that entities will engage in future collaboration;

employ or include in their applications a commitment to engage in an
evaluative process the best evidence-based or promising youth suicide
early intervention and prevention practices and strategies adapted to the
local community;


@

()

10)

()

(h)

@

oO

&)

10)

(m)

provide for the timely assessment of youth who are at risk for emotional
disorders which may lead to suicide attempts;

provide timely referrals for appropriate community-based mental health
care and treatment of youth in all child-serving settings and agencies who
are at risk for suicide;

provide immediate support and information resources to families of
youth who are at risk for emotional behavioral disorders which may lead
to suicide attempts;

offer equal access to services and care to youth with diverse social and
economic backgrounds;

offer appropriate services, care, and information to families, friends,
schools, educational institutions, juvenile justice systems, substance abuse
programs, mental health programs, foster care systems and other child
and youth support organizations of youth who recently attempted suicide;

provide continuous and up-to-date information and awareness campaigns
that target parents, family members, child care professionals, community
care providers and the general public and highlight the risk factors
associated with youth suicide and the lifesaving health and care available
from early intervention and prevention services;

ensure that information and awareness campaigns on youth suicide risk
factors, and early intervention and prevention services use effective
communication mechanisms that are targeted to reach youth, families,
schools, educational institutions and youth organizations;

provide a timely response system to ensure that child-serving
professionals and providers are properly trained in youth suicide early
intervention and prevention strategies and that child-serving
professionals and providers involved in early intervention and prevention
services are properly trained in effectively identifying youth who are at a
risk for suicid

provide continuous training activities for child care professionals and
community care providers on the latest best evidence-based program for
youth suicide early intervention and prevention services practices and
Strategies; and

work with interested families and advocacy organizations to conduct
annual self-evaluation of outcomes and activities on the national level
according to standards established by the Council.

SEC. 9, Technical Assistance and Data Management. ~ The Council shall
identify recipients of technical assistance grants and other agreements with government
agencies to conduct assessments independently or in collaboration with educational
institutions related to the development of nationwide Youth Suicide Programs. Grants


awarded under this section shall be used to establish programs for the development of
standardized procedures for data management, such as:

(a) ensuring the quality of youth suicide early intervention and prevention
Strategies;

(b) providing technical assistance on data collection and management;
(©) studying the costs and effectiveness of nationwide youth suicide early

intervention, prevention and response strategies in order to answer
relevant issues of importance to national policymakers;

(4) identifying and understanding further the causes of and associated risk
factors for youth suicide;

(€) ensuring the quality surveillance of suicidal behaviors and nonfatal
suicidal attempts;

() studying the effectiveness of nationwide youth suicide early intervention,
prevention and response strategies on the overall wellness and health
promotion strategies related to suicide attempts; and

(8) promoting the sharing of data regarding youth suicide with government
agencies involved with youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and
response, and nationwide youth suicide early intervention, prevention
and response strategies for the purpose of identifying previously
unknown mental health causes and associated risk-factors for suicide in
youth. 3

SEC. 10. Research. - The Council shall coordinate with concerned national
agencies in conducting a program of research and development on the efficacy of new
and existing youth suicide early intervention techniques and technology, including
clinical studies and evaluations of early intervention methods, and related research
aimed at reducing youth suicide and offering support for emotional and behavioral
disorders which may lead to suicide attempts.

The concerned government agencies shall promote the sharing of research and
development data developed pursuant to the preceding paragraph with the national
agencies involved in Youth Suicide Programs and entities involved in nationwide Youth
Suicide Programs for the purpose of applying and integrating new techniques and
technology into existing nationwide Youth Suicide Programs.

SEC. 11. Suicide Hotline. The DOH shall establish a 24/7 hotline to provide
assistance to affected youth. The existing suicide prevention hotline of the DOH shall be
strengthened to ensure that the suicide intervention, prevention and responses are
appropriate for the youth.

SEC. 12. Funding. The Congress shall allocate adequate funding for the
implementation of the Youth Suicide Program, including grants to be awarded to eligible
entities, in the General Appropriations Act.


SEC. 13. Guidelines and Measures. - Not later than ninety (90) days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Council shall assign the appropriate government
agencies to promulgate and issue necessary guidelines and measures for the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation or part thereof,
contrary to, or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 16, Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,