The number of suicides has been rapidly increasing since the summer season. The prolonged pandemic of the novel coronavirus appears to be having an adverse effect on people's mental health. Measures to save as many lives as possible must be implemented quickly.
According to statistics from the National Police Agency, the monthly number of suicides from July to September exceeded 1,800 for the third month in a row and the three-month total was more than 400 cases higher than in the same period last year.
Self-restraint in going out and operating businesses has become prolonged, and the financial and mental strain is building up. The number of suicides in each month from January to June was lower than the corresponding month in the previous year. The recent surge should be taken seriously.
The noticeable increase in suicides among women and children is worrisome.
The figures for August show that women's suicides were up 40% from a year earlier, especially cases among women below 40 years of age, which increased by more than 70%. Many of the women were non-regular employees, and a number of them had lost their jobs due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the stress of raising children and caring for family members that accompanied restraint in going out, domestic violence and other matters may also have been factors behind the increase.
The number of suicides by children and adults aged under 40 due to "education-related problems" rose to 52 in August, up from 16 the year before. Prolonged school closures and unfamiliar online classes have left children in a precarious situation.
More than 65,000 people have been notified of their dismissal or the termination of their employment contracts due to effects of the novel coronavirus.
After the bubble economy burst in the 1990s, more than 30,000 people a year took their lives, and connections were pointed out between suicides and people losing their jobs. The government needs to accelerate studies of the relationship between the novel coronavirus pandemic and suicide.
In general, the causes of suicide are often complicated, with factors such as economic situations and personal relationships minutely intertwined. Some experts say that the spate of suicides by people in show business has had a major impact. It is important for the central and local governments to identify the causes of suicide and groups of people at high risk, and deal with them appropriately.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has begun a survey of 10,000 people to determine the actual situation of "coronavirus depression." Many people, mainly the elderly, complain of mental health problems due to such factors as fear of infection. In particular, it is important to pay attention to households that tend to be isolated, such as elderly people living alone or single-parent families.
In September, the ministry released a ministerial message titled "To those who find it hard to live," in which it urged people not to keep their worries to themselves, but to consult with family, friends and others close to them.
There is an urgent need to expand the number of consultation services for people to talk about their troubles. Some organizations are limiting their activities due to a shortage of staff. In-person consultations are difficult due to the pandemic. It is important to establish a consultation system using social media. The central and local governments must provide generous financial support.
Some people are not able to seek for help from those around them. Local residents and organizations concerned must work together beyond their boundaries and establish an environment in which they will not miss signals for help.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Oct. 18, 2020.
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