Tragically, the number of suicides among Japan's young students has stayed alarmingly high in 2023, according to the latest government report released on Tuesday.
The 2024 Suicide Prevention White Paper revealed that 513 elementary, junior high, and high school students took their own lives this year, nearly matching the previous year's record of 514. Breaking down the numbers, 347 were high school students, 153 junior high students, and 13 elementary students.
For elementary students, the data highlighted that \"discipline and reprimands\" from family were common factors leading to suicide. Among junior high and high school boys, school-related pressures such as academic struggles and concerns about future careers were predominant as they advanced in grade levels. Girls in these same age groups were more likely to cite conflicts with friends and other relationship issues as reasons for their tragedy.
While the total number of suicides in Japan reached 21,837 in 2023, this marks a slight decrease of 44 from the previous year. The suicide rate held steady at 17.6 per 100,000 people.
Since 2020, suicide rates have been on the rise across most age groups in Japan. Notably, the highest suicide rates have been observed among the unemployed, although there has also been an increase among those who are employed.
This persistent issue underscores the urgent need for enhanced mental health support and proactive suicide prevention measures within the education system and the broader society to address the growing pressures faced by Japan's youth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
