What can be improved in schools to prevent suicide in Japan

 Suicide Risk Factors in Young People

Suicide rates in Japan rose across the board in 1998, notably among men aged 45 to 64. Suicide rates have dropped in recent years among the middle-aged and elderly, but not among those aged 15 to 34. According to the Cabinet Office, the suicide rate for persons in their 40s, 50s, and 60s in 2014 was 23.0, 27.1, and 24.5, respectively, representing a 32.9%, 39.6%, and 39.8% decline from the 1998 figure. In comparison, the suicide rate among people in their 20s and 30s was 20.8 and 21.2, respectively, with a 14.4% and 19.1% reduction rate.

According to National Police Agency data, employment problems were the most common cause of suicides among people in their twenties and thirties; however, the cause was often unknown. In other words, while suicide among young people is a pressing issue in Japan, further research into its risk factors is required.

Methods of Upstream Prevention

"Unlike risk factors, protective factors protect people from the risk of suicide." While many programs in suicide prevention are aimed on reducing risk factors, it is equally vital to consider and improve elements that have been shown to increase resilience and connectedness and guard against suicidal behavior". Early use of the "upstream prevention approach" is likely to result in improved adjustment. As a result, it is critical to establish an area for young people in which the relevant protective factors can be used as a preventive strategy.Suicide prevention teaching in schools may be a promising technique for upstream prevention in Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) has published three pamphlets on school suicide prevention in recent years. These pamphlets on "Suicide Prevention in Children for Teachers," "Emergency Response Guide for a Suicide Attempt by a Child," and "Prevention of Suicide in Children-A Guide for Suicide Prevention Education in Schools" are available from HP and MEXT. The prerequisites, goals, and content for suicide prevention education have been presented based on these. Exploratory research in this subject is likely to yield evidence on the usefulness of suicide prevention education in the future.

GRIP is a school-based suicide prevention program.

A number of suicide prevention education programs have been created in other countries. Similarly, we developed GRIP, which stands for Gradual Approach, Resilience, In a School Setting, and Prepare Scaffoldings. Based on a theoretical study, we assumed that classroom assistance for students experiencing serious difficulties should focus on four goals: understanding of feelings, expression of emotions, understanding and learning coping behavior, and understanding and experiencing consultation.

To accomplish these objectives, the GRIP program employs group learning, which includes a workbook, a card game, and a DVD. Learning to help a friend and consult an adult in the class improves each student's sense of belonging to the class and reduces their impression of being a burden. That is, according to the interpersonal theory of suicide, the GRIP program is expected to lead to the strengthening of suicide-related protective variables. Several schools have done feasibility studies to assess the efficiency of the GRIP program. The approach has been demonstrated to be successful in lowering disruptive expression, raising self-esteem, and increasing the intentionality of seeking adult support.In reality, the prevalence of suicide has increased public awareness of suicide prevention. However, by definition, the upstream prevention strategy is implemented prior to the suicide. As a result, on the field, necessity is not always fully recognized. While student safety is an important concern, suicide prevention is not now a top priority in Japanese schools. As a result, in order to incorporate suicide prevention education into regular school activities and build a viable suicide prevention education program, schools must be convinced of the importance of suicide prevention education. 

Suicide prevention in Japanese schools must be discussed, particularly the importance of minimizing destructive expression and increasing support-seeking behavior, both of which are subindexes of the GRIP program. It would also be advantageous to learn from successful suicide prevention education initiatives in other nations.

Kawano, K. (2015). Suicide Prevention Education in Schools in Japan. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience, s2. https://doi.org/10.4172/1522-4821.1000264

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