Angat Buhay rep joins Zero Suicide Asia Meet in Nepal

Angat Buhay’s focal person on mental health, Naga City Councilor Gayle Abonal-Gomez, represented the Philippines at the inaugural assembly of the Zero Suicide International Asia Alliance held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Abonal-Gomez joined mental health leaders and advocates from across Asia to share Angat Buhay’s efforts in advancing community-based mental health care through the Angat Kahimati Program in Naga City.

This undertaking clearly falls under Mayor Leni Robredo’s “2028 Finish Lines” on Mental Health and Well-Being, specifically aligned with her thrust on inclusive and community-based mental health care as part of the broader health and social services pillar of her leadership’s roadmap.

It supports her administration’s goal to expand access to quality mental health services, strengthen local support systems, and build resilient, compassionate communities—particularly through initiatives like the Angat Kahimati Program.

The Angat Kahimati Program, implemented in partnership with the Ateneo de Naga University–Psychology Department, aims to strengthen community-led mental health initiatives at the barangay level. It focuses on building a responsive support network for individuals and families, promoting early intervention, local capacity-building, and accessible care within communities.

The Zero Suicide International Asia Alliance, supported by the Henry Ford Health Global Health Initiative, is a regional collaboration that seeks to reduce suicide rates through evidence-based strategies, cross-sector partnerships, and systemic integration of mental health services. During the assembly, country representatives signed the Alliance Charter, reaffirming their shared commitment to a world without suicide.

Abonal-Gomez said the exchange of insights and best practices during the assembly will further strengthen her capacity to advance suicide prevention efforts in the Philippines.

“Aside from the approaches I already use to help reduce suicide cases, especially among the youth, I am now more empowered to pursue our advocacy after learning new strategies from fellow participants — just as they also learned from our own local approaches,” she said.

Through the participation of Angat Buhay in the regional alliance, the Philippines continues to promote inclusive, community-based mental health solutions anchored on empathy, empowerment, and collective action. Jason B. Neola