By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

REPORTS of alleged suicide is always a sensitive issue, writing about suicide should be handled with great care.
In the past weeks there have been report of suicide but we chose not to write about it, because we consider it a private matter especially if it involves a minor. Most families would not talk about the death of a loved one who chose to end his or her life. That we believe should be respected.
As a newspaper, we know that every story should be told, but there are stories that should not see print because it could go against journalism ethics. As a media outlet we should not be irresponsible in the treatment of suicide.
Sensational news could cause more injuries to the families of suicide victims, it cause more harm than solution.
There were also studies that show that writing about suicide could cause more suicide because if it made public some may view it as a way to end their problem and gain attention.
What we can write about though is what the Ministry of Health doing to address mental health issues in Palau. Most of suicides I understand stems from mental illness.
In my previous article, Dr. Slyvia Wally, Chief of the Behavioral Health Division said that the suicide rate in Palau has been roller coaster pattern.
In 2005, there were two suicide cases, at the start of this year there have been three reported cases.
The ministry has launched an aggressive program by changing its focus from curing mental illness to preventive measures and addressing mental health issues.
Wally said that the program concentrates on the family support , communication to address the crisis .
Another program that is presently running is the school health counselors and under this program ,annual school health screening is conducted for early identification and intervention. The program is running since 2004.
She said the program set by Behavioral Health Division is geared towards an individualized crisis intervention in schools, and families.
The division has also launched its mobile hotline and with this program those seeking advice or crisis counseling can call 7799813 to access physicians immediately.
Wally said if the suicide rates of Palau in previous years will be compared to developed nations such as United States and Japan it is much higher.
Previous years statistics also showed that Palau ranked third among other islands in the Federated States of Micronesia in suicide rates.
It the same article Dr. Wally that statistics showed that suicide is the number one cause of death among young males and that it claims more young lives than auto accidents, drowning and homicide combined.
Wally said that the cases in males are higher than females but they have a higher suicide attempt rate in women.
She also added that suicide cases mapped out showed that the peak suicide months are in March, June and July.
The 16 to 20 age group in Palau have the highest incidence of suicide, in developed countries suicide rate is high among the elderly.
She explained that the 16-20 years of age, is the age of experimentation and it is a time when some of them cannot cope and adapt in a crisis situation