Understanding Suicide: Interview with A Guidance Counsellor

The occurrence of suicidal attempts, whether a failure or not, undeniably casts a shadow over the image of MSU-IIT as an institution dedicated to molding students into quality citizens. Just two years ago, two IITians attempted to end their lives. Although not much was said about them, it is said that the suicides were due to family problems and academic pressures.
“Suicide as a form of aggression…is inflicted on oneself [to express] revenge,” guidance counsellor Maricar Koppin said. A person, she explained, commits suicide because he or she has a low coping mechanism against various stressors, like the pressures from the family, peers, and academics.
Societal problems, peer and family pressure could be talked about within them. Academic strains, however, should be dealt by students themselves. The school cannot take the pressure away from students to adjust because it lowers the school’s standards. “Pressures must be dealt with”, stressed Koppin.
Instead of adjusting to the student, MSU-IIT provided guidance counsellors for every college. “We don’t give advice; [instead] we dig deeper.” Our present emotions are cultivated by our past. The problems of those who commit and attempt to commit suicide might root back to his or her childhood days. “The present is only an effect of the past… [there’s more to it than merely the present emotion],” she said.

The school also requires second year students to take the Personality or Problem Checklist, and at the end of the checklist they are asked if they want to see our guidance counsellor. “Unahon to namo ang ga-answer og yes, then we evaluate others [we see as needing to see their guidance counsellors],” Koppin said.
Parents have the main role in cultivating into their children’s minds not to resort to such drastic measures as suicide. “The parents must observe their children continuously”, Koppin said. According to her, the parents should not use abusive words on their children. “Ma[igo] man ilang self-concept, which lowers their self-esteem. They’ll start having depression and will be having irrational thinking”.
Instead of using abusive words, they must encourage and challenge their kids. After all, the parents can sometimes cast them into tons of pressure, even in academics. “Mangasaba man gud ang parents, labaw nang mabagsak ang anak”. Encouraging them to do better instead of condemning them for their failures helps a lot.
The two suicidal attempts that occurred emphasized both family and scholastic pressures received by students. Although they vary, reasons also include poverty, family row, or love problems. Generally, all of those who wanted to end their lives sought to escape from the pressures of reality.
Although many individuals wanted to take their own lives, most people and religious institutions here in the Philippines condemn the act.
But then, committing suicide is a personal option. After all, in the end, it’s our decision that counts. Yet, is it the best choice?
Is the world really better off without you?