MANILA, Philippines — On Wednesday, a day after World Suicide Prevention Day, singer and dancer Gab Valenciano reminded those going through mental or emotional issues that there were people willing to listen to them.
“World Suicide Prevention Day isn’t just a day where we celebrate victories of those who have survived, instead, it is an awareness day where we magnify the importance and significance of how to deal with this growing epidemic,” Valenciano wrote in an Instagram post.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) recognize every Sept. 10 as the World Suicide Prevention Day, aimed at raising awareness on suicide prevention.
Valenciano also expressed alarm of the increasing cases of suicide every day: “As of today, one person dies every forty seconds by suicide. That is not a good statistic at all.”
“I would have been part of that statistic, twice, if not for the grace of God and love for my family and friends,” he said.
Because of this, Valenciano felt like he had a calling to “reach out and help as many people as I can who are struggling with mental health issues, through empathy and compassion.”
“Please everyone, there are people willing to listen and help. It doesn’t need to end this way. The only way to battle this is to fight together so fight with us,” Valenciano said.
He continued: “Surround yourself with the right people and feed your soul with the right content. You can do this. Stay alive, my dear friends. You are enough and you are worth it.”
Valenciano earlier revealed hitting “rock bottom” in 2018 and described it as “the darkest and most painful” time of his life.
READ: LOOK: Gab Valenciano shares inspiring message to fans
/atm