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MANILA, Philippines — The president and chief academic officer of the University of the East (UE), Zosimo Battad, reminded all students that help was just a “message, call, text or visit away” after a student died by suicide on the Caloocan campus on Monday.
In a statement, Battad said that the 19-year-old senior high school student was rushed to the nearby Manila Central University Hospital while his immediate family was notified of the incident.
“Valiant efforts and attempts to resuscitate him were fully rendered until it was clear that he had passed on,” Battad said, adding that internal investigations conducted with the help of the Caloocan police showed no signs of foul play.
“The entire UE community is in mourning in the wake of this tragic loss of a young life,” he said. “We kindly request that the privacy of his family and loved ones be respected at this difficult time and that no one share any unfounded information about the student and his truly untimely demise.”
Reach out
In a Facebook post, the student’s mother asked for prayers for him. The UE management said that it would provide support to the bereaved family as it reminded students of all year levels and campuses that they could approach the university for help.
Students were encouraged to reach out to their advisers or mentors through the guidance and counseling and career services offices, or student affairs offices in the Manila and Caloocan campuses.
They could also email guidance@ue.edu.ph or sao@ue.edu.ph for UE Manila, and gco.cal@ue.edu.ph or sao.cal@ue.edu.ph for UE Caloocan.
According to Battad, students can likewise call the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline via 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0998-5324047 or 0917-7759256 (6 a.m.-6 p.m.), or 0939-8020288 or 0927-2288035 (6 p.m.-6 a.m.).
“Please always feel free to reach out and chat with someone, verbally or nonverbally, especially in times of difficulty and distress,” he said.
Hopeline PH, a 24/7 suicide prevention and emotional crisis hotline, can be reached at 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673, or through its Facebook account: Hopeline PH.
Michael Poa, spokesperson for the Department of Education, said that they had instructed the Schools Division Office concerned to coordinate with UE for any assistance needed by the student’s family.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the learner, and join the request that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” he said in a Viber message to reporters.