His father, who had done his residency in Ohio before returning to the Philippines, couldn't handle working in the state hospital for long because he thought the conditions were deplorable. In private practice, though, business was so slow that he worked on the side in real estate to make a living.
"If the stigma here is bad, it's worse in the Philippines," Borja said. "The slightest hint of depression, you're a nut case."
Seeking mental health care is "a sign of weakness in our culture," he said. "It's unthinkable. The thinking in the Philippines is, `Snap out of it, you've got your whole family.'"
FOR THE RECORD - A photo caption accompanying an article in Sunday's editions about the suicides of two Filipino teachers misidentified the source of the photo. All photos of Irenea Apao were taken by Manny Lopez.
The Sun regrets the error.
Enrile added that, even if someone in the Philippines did want professional help, it typically is not available. "Even if there wasn't stigma involved, there aren't resources either," she said. "All of that sets up a situation where, when there are resources available, you wouldn't even think to look at them."
In Baltimore, Bolado relied on her friends for support. The week of her death, she spent hours confiding in them about her marital problems, but she never mentioned thoughts of suicide.
In any case, saving Bolado by that point may well have been beyond the capacity of her friends. As Borja said, "if there's truly a chemical imbalance, social support is not enough."
After her October suicide attempt, Apao appeared to return to her spunky self. School officials perceived that she seemed embarrassed by what she'd done. At the same time, she did not return repeated phone calls from her friend the jewelry saleswoman, Jennifer Hong, who was urging her to get counseling.
"I feel so guilty," said Hong, a nursing student. "I tried because I knew she needed professional help, but if she doesn't receive my phone call, if she doesn't want my help ... "
In the aftermath of the suicides, groups such as the Baltimore Teachers Union and the Philippine Embassy have reached out to the city's Filipino teachers. School system administrators started doing more to promote the free counseling program that's offered.
Aileen Mercado, who was profiled in The Sun during the 2005-2006 school year and who has been elected the overall coordinator of Baltimore's Filipino teachers, started a support committee within her organization.
Borja has extended an open invitation to work with teachers in Baltimore to overcome their reluctance so that those in need of help can get it.
"We can't just ignore the fact that two people have lost their lives," he said. "We have to, I wouldn't say, change the culture, but I would say, enlighten the culture."
sara.neufeld@baltsun.com
Where to go for help
If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, these hot lines offer assistance.
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE and 1-800-442-HOPE.
Baltimore Crisis Response Inc: 410-433-5175 and 410-752-2272.
Employees of the Baltimore City Public School System and their dependents can also access a free assistance program that provides counseling by calling 1-888-454-7545
