“I am okay.” 

Three simple words we often say when someone asks, “How are you?” or “Are you okay?” Sometimes, we say them because we truly are. Other times, they become an easy answer when we do not know how to explain what we are feeling or when we are not ready to let others see that we are struggling.

A student may laugh with friends while carrying worries they have never dared to share. Someone may sit quietly at the dinner table, answering, “I’m fine,” despite feeling overwhelmed. Behind an ordinary conversation, there can be a person quietly wishing that someone would notice, listen, and simply ask again.

This is why Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that mental and emotional struggles should not be ignored. It is an opportunity to look beyond the words people say and start creating spaces where they feel safe enough to speak honestly about what they are going through.

For many, this struggle is not merely a passing feeling. Due to mental health conditions, emotional distress, social isolation, and stigmatization, the number of suicides has rapidly increased over time. Yet, even with the efforts made to address this growing concern, such as the enormous programs and numerous platforms that combat the threat of suicide, not all hands are reached. 3,426 lives ended not because of sickness or crime, but by their own hands, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, from the year 2025 up until the first three months of 2026. Among these lives was Emmanuel Atienza, who died by suicide at her home in Los Angeles on October 22, 2025, at the young age of 19.

Behind that number was a life, a story, and a person. Emman Atienza, known to many as a social media influencer and a mental health advocate, was the daughter of Filipino television personality Kim Atienza and Felicia Hung Atienza. She openly shared aspects of her experiences with mental health, allowing many people to see both her struggles and her efforts to keep moving forward.

Emman’s story reminds us that mental health struggles are often more complicated than they appear from the outside. Depression, trauma, experiences of online harassment, personal circumstances, and many other factors can affect a person’s well-being. However, nothing can fully explain why someone reaches a point of crisis. Every person’s experience is different, which is why understanding, compassion, and access to appropriate support are so important.

And while hotlines, organizations, and mental health services are available for those who need support, suicide prevention also begins with the people around us. Sometimes, it starts with a simple question: “Are you really okay?” More importantly, it means being willing to listen without judgment when the answer is not okay.

We can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by creating spaces where people feel safe to talk about their struggles without being ashamed or dismissed. We can remind them that seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness, but a meaningful step toward receiving the support they deserve. A conversation cannot solve every struggle, but checking in, listening with compassion, and encouraging someone to seek appropriate help can make a difference.

Suicide prevention begins with connection. Check in on the people around you. Listen when someone chooses to open up. Help create an environment where talking about mental health is not something to be ashamed of. And when someone needs more support than we can provide, encourage them to reach out to a trusted adult, mental health professional, or crisis service.

Sometimes, hope begins with something as simple as listening and reminding someone that asking for help is okay.

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) Crisis Hotline can be reached at 1553. In an emergency, call 911.