EDITORIAL | To Prevent Suicide, Pay More Attention to Vulnerable Groups

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(Warning: This article contains references to suicide.)

Among Japanese who committed suicide in 2023, just under 20% had a tragic history of suicide attempts. Also, just under 30% were women. For both men and women, there were many cases where the time between a suicide attempt and the actual suicide was less than one year.

The attempts should be viewed as calls for help before going ahead with the final act. What if they had been connected to appropriate support at the time they contemplated taking their lives? It might have been possible to help them change their minds.

If those close to you seem to be acting unusually, reach out with support. Encouraging individuals having a difficult time to visit a healthcare facility or try telephone counseling might also prove effective.

The 2024 edition of the White Paper on Suicide Prevention has been released. It states that 21,837 people in Japan committed suicide in 2023. Although that was 44 fewer suicides than in 2023, we have yet to reverse the sharp increase that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Japan has one of the highest suicide rates of the G7 nations. The government needs to take to heart the seriousness of this issue and make every effort to prevent suicides.

*A former teacher who had experienced severe self-neglect. (© Sankei by Mie Oh)*

Focus on the Younger Generations

The rate of attempted suicides is higher among younger generations. In fact, one in four suicide victims is in their teens to thirties. The rate is higher among women than men, at 33.5% for teenage girls, and 39.6% for women in their twenties. An alarming 42.8% is among women in their thirties.

The government includes measures to strengthen suicide prevention measures for women in the "General Principles of Suicide Countermeasures Policy" adopted by Cabinet decision in 2022. Nevertheless, nationally we need to pay more attention to those in vulnerable positions. They include women, men, children, single parents, the unemployed, and those in non-regular employment.

Regarding female suicide, "maternal suicide" occurring during pregnancy or within one year after giving birth is also an issue. There were 53 such suicides in 2023.

In some cases, unexpected pregnancy, poverty, domestic violence, or similar reasons may be the trigger. It is also possible that the victim had to deal with the anxieties related to her pregnancy all by herself. One way to begin addressing this is with more consultations made by phone or email.

*Exterior of Central Government Bldg. No.5 in Tokyo, which houses the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. (©The Sankei Shimbun)*

Support for Irreplaceable Lives

Certainly, some are unable to provide a good environment for child rearing due to postpartum depression or other medical conditions. Most cases of death through abuse occur among newborns younger than one month. We urge the government to make every effort to provide early support to mothers and children.

Recently efforts are encouraging medical institutions to conduct postpartum checkups for mothers two weeks and one month after giving birth. Mothers who appear to have serious problems can then be connected to mental health care professionals.

Hopefully, the national government and local governments will work together with medical institutions and others to implement detailed measures to protect irreplaceable lives.

SEEKING HELP? If you are in Japan and having trouble with mental health due to pregnancy, childbirth, anxiety, workplace harassment, bullying, or any other reason, someone is ready to help you in English at TELL Japan. Telephone (free dial inside Japan) 0800-300-8355 or chat online. Information about counseling services in English is also available on the US Embassy website. If you are outside of Japan, please check your national health authorities for guidance in your country.