A THREE-time suicide survivor will represent the Philippines in the 2nd annual Man of the World 2019 pageant which will be held in San Juan, Metro Manila on July 11.
Filipino-Russian-Jamaican JP Ocat, 23, of Cebu City, will compete against 34 other competitors from around the world in the pageant.
Ocat said he wants to promote mental health awareness during the competition.
“Going through the whole process or situation, I had no one to go to. As a man, you are expected to keep your emotions. That’s just what society tells us, or at least that’s what my society tells me. It’s just so hard for me to open up to anyone.
“So when I realized that I’m okay, after going through therapy, medication and all that, this could be a story that I could tell to everyone. Mental depression is something that we hide. People think that mental health is not a public issue. But depression is real.
“I’ve been there. I want to inspire others that it’s not the end. We can do something about it,” said Ocat. (ROBERT R. REQUINTINA)
