We often see photos of happy overseas Filipino workers (OFW) on social media that look seemingly happy but who knows what their real situations are? Tragic incidents happen to some of them like they were pushed to do unexpected and unfortunate things like taking their own lives (suicide) or going amock out of depression.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an OFW in Saudi Arabia took her own life by hanging herself inside the house of her employer in Jizan on September 18, the same day when another OFW went amock and killed a Pakistani workmate and their Saudi manager. The said OFW also died due to gunshots wound from the responding security personnel. Consul General Edgar Badajos said in a statement that the Consulate has contacted the family of the 40-year-old OFW and assured them that government assistance will be provided particularly on the repatriation of the Filipina’s remains.
A consular team is in Jizan to gather additional information behind the incident which surrounded the death of the OFW who left behind two children.
Filed under the category of overseas Filipino workers, social media , Tragic incidents , depression, suicide
The time after college is actually the time when loneliness peaks, a recent study revealed.
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According to Healthline, a person usually feel lonely after college and loneliness peaks before one reach the age of 30.
“Contrary to the popular belief that you’re surrounded by friends, parties, and fun in your 20s and 30s, the time after college is actually the time when loneliness peaks. A 2016 study published in Developmental Psychology found that, across genders, loneliness peaks just before your 30s,” it disclosed.
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Tess Brigham, a San Francisco-based therapist who specializes in treating young adults and millennials, disclosed that many of her clients feel that they must have a good career and find a good man.
“There are a lot of myths about what the 20-something years are all about…. Many of my clients think they need to have a fabulous career, be married—or at least be engaged—and have an incredible social life before they turn 30 or they’ve failed in some way,” she said.
Dorm Days Are Over
Moreover, it was noted that during school years, you could pop in and out of your buddies’ dorm rooms without so much as a knock. Now, on the other hand, with friends spread across the city and everyone trying to forge their own path, making friends has become more difficult and complicated.
“Many young adults have never had to work at making and building friendships,” Brigham says. “Actively building a community of people who support you and making friends who add something to their lives will help with the loneliness.”
Sociologists have long considered three conditions crucial to friend-making: proximity, repeated and unplanned interactions, and settings that encourage people to let their guard down. These conditions appear less frequently in life after your dorm room days are over, it was explained.
Social Media’s Effect
She also noted the effect of social media on the 20-somethings.
“If you add in social media, which is everyone else’s life highlight reel, it makes many young people feel alone and lost,” she noted.
“While the 20-something years are full of adventure and excitement, it’s also the time of your life when you determine who you are and what kind of life you want to live,” she added.
It was explained that if everyone else on social media, including influencers and celebrities, seems like living a life better than you, it could make you think of yourself as a failure.
You have to keep in mind, however, that being lonely is unhealthy. Here are the reasons why:
This article was filed under Health, Health news, Healthy life news, Newshealth, Health blogs, Depression, and Loneliness.
Depression is a serious global problem that if not properly addressed could ruin a person's life as well as those of the people around them. According to the World Health Organization, depression affects 300 million people around the world and around 16.2 million adults in the U.S translated to 6.7 % of the adult population in the country have experienced major depressive episodes in the past year. Some of them resulted in suicide. It is also experienced by adolescents or teenagers from age 12-17. Statistics show that about 20% of teens experience depression before their adulthood. As parents, especially those who are working overseas such as overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are advised to monitor their kids at least during their chat time or video calls. We must be aware of the signs that might tell us that our children are already into such kind of mental condition without us even noticing it.
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The most common symptoms of depression are the following: -The child or adolescent gets lower grades than usual. -Being aloof or isolating themselves from others. -You may even notice a sudden change of sleeping pattern -The kid may also show sudden anger and irritability -They can also show loose of appetite -Posting a negative status on social media - If you notice them be doing self-harm like wounding themselves or the likes, you must act and bring them to a specialist for counseling.
Are There Warning Signs of Suicide With Depression?
Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Suicidal thoughts or intentions are serious. Warning signs include: —A sudden switch from sadness to extreme calmness, or appearing to be happy —Always talking or thinking about death —Clinical depression (deep sadness, loss of interest, trouble sleeping and eating) that gets worse —Taking risks that could lead to death, such as driving through red lights —Making comments about being hopeless, helpless, or worthless —Putting affairs in order, like tying up loose ends or changing a will —Saying things like "It would be better if I weren't here" or "I want out" —Talking about suicide —Visiting or calling close friends and loved ones
If you or someone you know shows any of the warning signs mentioned above, call your Philippine suicide hotline at
Hotline:(02) 804-HOPE (4673) Mobile phone:0917 558 HOPE (4673) or contact a mental health professional right away. Filed under the category of Depression, World Health Organization, major depressive episodes, overseas Filipino workers, suicide, mental condition
In this era where everyone has their own smartphones and ready internet access through free wifi hotspots everywhere, we can all have access to important pieces of information. However, we are also vulnerable to things like stalking and cyberbullying. Like physical or verbal bullying which happens face to face, cyberbullying leaves ill feeling to the victim which oftentimes leads to low self-esteem and depression. Can we do something about it? Can we file charges to these social media bashers?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like smartphones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through text, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate or share content. It includes sending, posting, or sharing a negative, harmful, or false comment about someone which includes sharing personal or private information about the victim which causes embarrassment or humiliation. It can even cross the line into an unlawful or criminal act.
Can anyone be jailed for bullying? Although there are existing laws on bullying in schools which protects the elementary and secondary students from physical verbal or electronic bullying, there are still no existing laws against cyberbullying outside schools and among adults. RA10627 or the anti-bullying act of 2013 only covers bullying which happens within the school premises and the discretion of penalties depends on the policy of the school and they are merely administrative actions at the school administrations end. Although there is an existing law against cyber libel or crimes committed using the internet or computer systems but bullying is not among them. Social media is known to be a breeding ground for cyber bullies. They become more ferocious online due to anonymity and they can change everything about them providing them shield from their victims. Cyberbullying is dangerous. It can cause depression among the victims. In some cases, bullying using social media or the internet could cause the victims to commit suicide. Can you do anything about it? If you think that a post or comment on social media is affecting you like bullying, you can always hit the report button. You can also take a screenshot of the post and show it to the principal of the school and let them do the necessary reprimand against the offender. If the act can be proved as cyber libel, it can be punishable by 12 years imprisonment, but it has to be proven accordingly. As parents, especially overseas Filipino workers who are not physically present with your children, you must be aware of the forms of cyberbullying that might already be affecting your kids. Even miles away, you should make sure that you monitor your kids' activities online just by talking to them and asking them. Filed under the category of depression, free wifi hotspots, information, internet access, low self-esteem, social media bashers
