The numbers are growing. A sense of hopelessness seems to be spreading across the nation. Last year there were over 21 thousand suicides. The investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health. The questionnaire does not ask the "why" one decides to commit suicide.
Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Nearly 25% of Japanese adults have thought seriously to commit suicide: This is what emerges from a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
The published data shows that the number of those who think of committing suicide is growing: in 2008 there were 19.1%; 23.4% in 2012; 23.6% in 2016.
The results published yesterday show that a sense of hopelessness seems to be spreading across the nation. It should also be said that the number of actual suicides are decreasing by at least six years. According to the National Police Agency there were 21,764 in 2016.
The research comes from the desire of the Ministry of Health to implement policies to prevent suicide by addressing the deeper problems that put people at risk. Last October, the ministry sent questionnaires to 3 thousand men and women aged 20 and older and received more than 2 thousand valid responses.
The results reveal that 36.7% of respondents who had thought about committing suicide, have overcome their crisis by using more time for their hobbies or work; 32.1% said they had found relief discussing their problems with the people around them. In any case, at least 46.9% say that when they are burdened by worries and stress, they are hesitant to ask for help or talk to other consulting facilities.
A curious fact: The questionnaire did not question "why" one is led to commit suicide.