Psychological Struggles Through the Perspective of Filipino College Individuals During Suicidal Acts

This study explored the psychological struggles of Filipino college students during suicidal acts, addressing the gap in localized, youth-centered research on suicidal experiences. Grounded in Shneidman’s concept of Psychache, the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) model, and Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, six (6) participants who had previously engaged in suicidal acts were interviewed through trauma-informed, semi-structured conversations. Through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the analysis revealed a multilayered psychological trajectory encompassing pre-attempt, during attempt, and post-attempt experiences. In this said trajectory, a total of eleven (11) superordinate themes emerged which are the following: (a) The Desperate Search for Escape, (b) Dysfunctional Family Dynamics and Conflict, (c) Pressure and Feelings of Inadequacy, (d) Grief, Guilt, and Self Blame, (e) Internal Conflict and Ambivalence, (f) Physical and Sensory Experiences, (g) Exhaustion and the Search for Peace, (h) Desire for Understanding and Connection, (i) Reevaluating the Value of Life and Resilience, (j) Relational Accountability and Future Aspirations, and (k) Proactive Self Care and Coping Mechanisms. Overall, the findings highlight suicide as a complex, embodied, and relational experience shaped by cultural, familial, and emotional contexts, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive mental health interventions for Filipino college individuals.