As the investigation into the death of former Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral continues, the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) on Tuesday warned against public statements linking antidepressant use to suicidal thoughts without verified medical evidence and proper clinical context.
In a statement, the PPA said such claims risk undermining public trust in evidence-based mental health care.
“To publicly single out antidepressants as a causal factor – absent proof of diagnosis, treatment details, or clinical course – is medically unsound and irresponsible,” the PPA said.
“The reckless use of mental health narratives to support conjecture or assign blame fuels stigma, distorts public understanding, and may deter individuals from seeking much-needed professional help,” it added.
While the PPA did not name the statement it was responding to, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group earlier said an antidepressant drug taken by Cabral could have triggered “increased suicidal thoughts and behavior.”
Cabral, who was linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects, was found dead on December 18, unconscious and unresponsive 20 to 30 meters below a highway after she reportedly asked her driver to leave her along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet. She was pronounced dead shortly after midnight on December 19.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said Cabral had surveyed the ravine, which may indicate the “seriousness of the intent” to jump.
The PPA stressed that depression and suicidal behavior are complex conditions and emphasized that antidepressants remain a well-established treatment option.
“Importantly, untreated or inadequately treated depression itself carries a substantial risk of suicide,” it said.
Cabral was earlier implicated in the flood control controversy by former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, who alleged that she asked for lists of projects tied to lump-sum fund allocations at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).