UP Ibalon Bicol: suicide

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Woldwide, a million suicides per year says United Nations

9/14/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

The World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that about a million people die of suicide each year around the globe. The count puts killing oneself as frequent as one in every 40 seconds. In the last half a century, the rate of suicide has increased to 60% and the trend is likely to go up, putting the number to about 1.5
million annually by the year 2020---that will be a staggering 33% increase in a matter of about 10 years.

According to mental health experts, the risk factors in suicide vary across different cultures. Accounting for about half of all violent deaths, suicide is more common in men although more women are likely to attempt killing themselves without being successful. A quarter of suicide victims are young adults below the age of 25 years.

“The WHO report says most suicides in occur in Asia, which accounts for up to 60 percent of all cases. But it reports Eastern European countries have the highest rates of suicide. The lowest rates are found in the countries of Mediterranean Europe and the predominantly Catholic countries of Latin America and Asia, as well as in Muslim countries, such as Pakistan.’---VOA (09/10/09, Schlein, L.)

The rise in suicide may reflect the increase in the “stressors” that operate in modern life. A reduction of suicide may be achieved by education, identifying and treating mental illnesses, and recognizing the early signs of suicide among individuals. (Photo Credit: campinocastillejo) =0=

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Labels: Health, illness, life and death issues, mental, morbidity, mortality, suicide, Totie Mesia, United Nations, WHO

Taliban suicide bomber kills 23 in Afghanistan attack

9/02/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

The Taliban claiming responsibility, a suicide bomber detonated himself killing 23 people in a a crowded Mosque in Mehtarlam, Laghman Province, about 100 miles from the capital city of Kabul.

The deaths coincided with rising dispute on who won the recent presidential election which had served as the Afghanistan’s deputy intelligence officer. The government and the United Nations (UN) condemned the attack. Pres. Hamid Karzai (47.3%) leading against his rival Abdullah Abdullah (32.6%) on recent vote count.

The bombing which occurred in Ramadan apparently targeted Abdullah Laghmani who served as Afghanistan’s deputy intelligence officer. (Photo Credit: Travelblog.com) =0=

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Labels: 2007 election, Abudullah Abudullah, Afghanistan, casualty, Hamid Karzai, killings, Naga Camarines Sur. Totie Mesia, Ramadan, suicide, suicide bombing, Taliban, UN, United Nations

Suicide bomber kills 16 military recruits in Swat Valley

8/31/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

A suicide bomber who trespassed a training compound for military recruits blew himself, killing 16 would-be police officers in Swat region of Pakistan. The bloody attack which wounded an undetermined number of trainees came three days after 27 security men died in another attack in the country’s Khyber region.

The violence in unstable Mingora, Swat’s major village may be an attempt of Taliban militants to reclaim the area they control after their stronghold of three years was disrupted by military forces early in May 2009.

It was estimated 1,800 Islamic rebels and suicide bombers died during the offensive. A million civilians escaped the area, but returned when some measure of stability was achieved by the anti-Taliban forces.

Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the attack, vowing to continue the fight against the Taliban insurgents who caused the senseless deaths of about 3,000 people in the last two years. (Photo Credit: Nizam Khan) =0=

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Labels: explosion, Islamic militants, killings, militant, military, Pakistan, suicide, suicide bombing, Swat Valley, Taliban, Totie Mesia

Conductor and wife die in an assisted suicide in Switzerland

7/15/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

The former British Philharmonic and Royal Opera conductor Edward Downes, 85 and his 74 year old wife died of assisted suicide in a clinic in Zurich, Switzerland after years of failing health. Known for his outstanding musicality and conducting prowess, Downes who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth was almost blind and deaf. His wife Joan was a noted dancer and choreographer who worked as his devoted assistant. The couple had been together for 54 happy years.

A sign of secularist and liberal thinking, ending one’s life at one’s will is creeping into the norms of life. This is exactly what the Downes decided. At their own choosing, in a clinic supervised by a group called Dignitas, they died “peacefully.” The death facility which was founded in 1998 had about a hundred British citizens, many with terminal illness or disability, choosing its service to end their life.

“Dignitas says it is meeting the needs of its members. It says it charges 10,000 Swiss francs ($9,200) for its services, which include taking care of legal formalities and arranging consultations with a doctor willing to prescribe the barbiturates. British law is clearly against assisted suicide, but enforcement has been somewhat lax.”---AP (07/14/09, Lawless, J.)

The legal assisted suicide permitted in Switzerland is backed by a law which dates back in 1942. It allows foreigners from other countries from Europe to come and kill themselves, a controversial practice that needs regulation and deep moral consideration.

The decision to kill oneself surely raises serious ethical and religious questions. A society swept in relativism, it is permitted in some countries like Netherlands, Belgium and states of USA like Oregon. Some accuse Switzerland as promoting suicide as a tool of tourism. (Photo Credit: weeteeth) =0=

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Labels: assisted suicide, ethics, Great Britain, laws, liberalism, moral values, relativism, secularism, Sir Edward Downes, suicide, Switzerland, Totie Mesia

Mystery behind the death of Ted Failon’s wife

4/17/2009 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

It must be a challenge for investigators to know the truth behind the death of 45-year old Trinidad Arteche Etong, the wife of Ted Failon, a news anchor of ABS-CBN TV Patrol. It has been suggested that the woman died in her home’s bathroom from an alleged self-inflicted gunshot head wound--- presumably a case of suicide. The broadcaster was said to be in the TV studio when the incident occurred.

“Failon’s wife Trinidad Arteche Etong, 45, was declared dead by doctors of the New Era General Hospital at 8:50 last night. She had been in a coma and declared brain-dead after she sustained a bullet wound in her left temple after the shooting incident at 10:30 a.m. inside their house on 27 General Aquino street, Tierra Pura Subdivision in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.”--- Philstar (04/17/09, Padua, R)

It was reported that Etong and her husband had failed financial investments. Failon admitted having quarreled with her on money matters the night before.

It will take some time to reconcile the accounts of witnesses and forensic evidence, but early on, possibilities other than suicide are being considered by investigators.

There was a race to remove spattered blood in the bathroom where Trinidad was found before investigators could come to examine. In an act to tamper evidence, house helpers also cleaned the vehicle used to bring the bloodied lady to the hospital. Evaluation of the bullet trajectory posed questions as to whether the head wound was indeed self-inflicted.

Failon reportedly touched the gun thought to be used in the shooting. At one point, his family refused to allow investigators to see the scene of the incident. Though presumed innocent, the well-known broadcaster had been under close scrutiny.

Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta who temporarily acted as Failon’s lawyer said there was no direct evidence linking the TV anchor to the fatal shooting. However, Justice Secretary Gonzalez tasked the Bureau of Immigration to put Failon under its watch list in order to prevent him from leaving the country.

Shortly after Trinidad passed away in the hospital, obstruction of justice charges were filed versus Failon and his sister-in-law Pamela Arteche, and house helpers Pacifico Apacible, Carlota Morbos, Wilfreda Bolliser, and Glen Palan at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office. The bases of the accusation were Failon's failure to report the incident to the police and tampering of evidence by house helpers.

The way the shooting incident was handled by the Failon family suggested either gross ignorance in reporting a potential crime scene or an attempt at cover-up for reasons yet to be known. Initial investigation suggested less of the former and more of the latter.

It is less likely that those accused of obstruction of justice don't know the basics of handling this bloody incident. On the other hand, it's the duty of the police and investigators to come up with a truthful and credible account of what happened so that the case can rest with fair closure. (Photo Credit: Nyki_M) =0=

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Labels: broadcast, death, forensic investigation, gunshot, suicide, Ted Failon, Totie Mesia, Trinidad Etong, TV and radio

Increased suicide risk for white middle-aged Americans & the pessimism in time of recession

10/22/2008 | Posted by Anonymous | Edit Post

A research study covering the period of 1999 to 2005, shows a striking change in the demographics of suicide risk. From the records of the National Center for Health Statistics it is revealed that there is a sharp increase in the number of white middle-aged women who commit suicide compared to men.

To appear in the December 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the report of Guoing Hu, PhD of Central South University in Changsha, China and Susan Baker, MPH of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has the following salient findings:

1. The suicide rate for white women 40-64 years old went up 3.9% per year during the study period.
2. The suicide rate among white men in the same age group increased 2.7% per year.
3. Overall suicide rates went up for whites -- 1.1% per year. Suicide rates went down significantly for African-Americans -- 1.1% per year.
4. Suicide rates remained stable for Asian and Native Americans." ---WebMed Health News (10/21/08, Colihan K, Chang, L. M.D.)

Because the exact reason for the increase in suicide in this period is unclear, Baker urges a review of the social changes that could drive more middle-aged persons to end their life. She says the new findings may help in the reorientation of mental health programs which focus on teenagers, young adult, and white middle-aged men, traditionally thought to belong to the high risk groups.

To guard against suicide, the authors suggest the following: learn new coping or problem-solving skills, adhere to cultural or religious beliefs that discourage suicide; develop strong support from the family and community members, and seek high quality treatment for mental or physical disorders or addictions.

Culled from data before the recent economic downturn, the report comes at a time when negativities and pessimism among Americans are high and on the rise. AFP (10/21/08.) Greater vigilance therefore against depression and suicide must be done as financial problems cause uncertainty, anger, and anxiety. (Photo Credit: by Coolcolonia4711; Laserbread)=0=

Labels: depression, Health, mental, recession, suicide, Totie Mesia, USA

UP Ibalon Bicol

Woldwide, a million suicides per year says United Nations

Taliban suicide bomber kills 23 in Afghanistan attack

Suicide bomber kills 16 military recruits in Swat Valley

Conductor and wife die in an assisted suicide in Switzerland

Mystery behind the death of Ted Failon’s wife

Increased suicide risk for white middle-aged Americans & the pessimism in time of recession

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