Suicide Prevention

This article talks about a study that has found that among Japanese middle-aged men suicide rates surge on Monday mornings. This is blamed on a psychological state called blue Monday where people become more depressed as Monday approaches.

This research is ground breaking because it is the first study of its kind that analyzed the specific times in which suicides tend to take place. They found out that the days and times of day suicide occurs differ by sex and age with men aged 40-65 peaking between 4am and 7:59 a.m. right before their commute to work. This figure was at its highest from 1995-2014 when the Japanese economic deterioration was at an all-time high.  Among this demographic, the number of suicides at daytime was 1.57 times higher than at night, and 1.55 times higher than Saturday. The study cites that the most common form of suicide was hanging and gas poisoning. 

In contrast to middle aged men, older men and women tend to commit suicide during the day, peaking at around noon when they are usually alone at home.

The findings of this study are important and can change the way suicide prevention services such as telephone consultation services operate. Currently these services are provided from the evening to the late night, however, this study could alert these organizations to provide more resources during peak times such as the early mornings.

Although this story is quite grim, Japan has been making progress in suicide prevention. The phenomenon used to be taboo subject with families impacted by suicide having few support resources since the act was considered selfish. However, along with breaking of social taboos the implementation of funds to actively prevent suicide has successful managed to reduce the total number of people taking their own lives. By 2012, for example, the figure fell below 30,000 since 1998.

References

http://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention/japan_story/en/