MANILA, Philippines—While the rate of student suicides in the Philippines isn’t as high as it is in say, Japan, it’s no secret that more and more students are taking their lives. Education and psychology experts attribute it to several factors, including increased levels of peer pressure in students and a more stressful lifestyle for young people.

What can students do in order to seek help? While it’s always advisable for anyone to seek professional help at the first signs of severe depression (especially for people with suicidal tendencies), students may not always want their parents to know of their problems, or feel comfortable consulting a psychiatrist right away. If you’re feeling depressed (or know a student who is) and don’t know where to turn, here’s what you can do for the meantime:

1. Talk to a guidance counselor. While most students think of the guidance office as a place to visit only during career talks, or a punishing ground for delinquent students, don’t hesitate to talk to a counselor whenever you feel confused, down or suicidal. Most schools have a guidance office, although students usually avoid them, thinking that seeking help from a teacher figure is corny.

Some schools also partner with various self-help, church and counseling groups to help their students. For instance, the Ateneo de Manila University has CEFAM, a counseling center for families and the youth, although even outsiders are free to avail themselves of their services.

2. Join a peer support group. Check if your school has a peer support org if you’re not comfortable with talking to adults in order to ask for help. Still hesitant to go all-out by joining a “feel-good” group? Join an org, any org—interacting with a group of friends with the same interests could make you feel better about yourself, although it’s still important to seek professional help if you’re seriously depressed.

3. Talk to a spiritual counselor. This is different from talking to a guidance counselor—if you’re Christian, you can talk to a priest or a pastor. See if you’re comfortable with spilling your problems with a religious figure without rolling your eyes when morality issues start coming up.