𝐃𝐎𝐇-𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐬 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬

September 26, 2025

The Department of Health–SOCCSKSARGEN conducted an orientation on suicide reporting guidelines and other mental health issues on September 23-24 in General Santos City, gathering media partners and campus journalists from across Region 12 to strengthen responsible reporting.

Held at the Eulogia Hotel in General Santos City, the orientation featured Dr. Dinah Palmera P. Nadera, MD, MSC, MIMH, FPPA as resource speaker, who discussed the media’s role in suicide prevention while presenting key facts on mental health concerns.

Participants learned about the signs and symptoms of suicide risk, with the sessions guiding them on how to report incidents without sensationalism while reducing stigma and promoting sensitivity.

The activity aimed to enhance the media literacy of journalists on handling sensitive topics, since it encouraged them to inform the public responsibly while helping prevent suicide cases in the region and beyond.

: Derick Xerxes A. Maquilang