Comment: Suicide prevention is quickly becoming a big topic in Japan.
It's almost impossible to argue against such measures because they
sound so well motivated. I think I'm going to have to go back and
reread Szasz's book on this issue. Here another article related to
this ...

Link:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/mail/ed20070523a1.html

Article:
Preventing suicides
Every year in Japan some 30,000 people kill themselves. Last year, a
basic law to counter suicide went into effect, declaring that suicide
prevention is the responsibility of both the central and local
governments. A government study body has recently come up with
proposals for suicide prevention plans. This initial and concrete
step on the part of the government is encouraging. Now it has to
secure the personnel and budget to implement the proposals.

The study group reports that suicide is not only a problem for those
involved but a concern for all citizens. Noting that excessive hard
work, unemployment and bankruptcy create stressful situations that
can lead to suicides, it opines that customs and systems that
contribute to such stress should be reviewed.

The health ministry has a goal of reducing the number of annual
suicides to 22,000 or less by 2010. The study group, however,
recollects that the number reached 30,000 in 1998, jumping by more
than 8,000 from the previous year, and calls for a severer long-run
numerical goal. It also calls for better monitoring of mental health
at workplaces and more professional examinations of potential
sufferers of depression.

Attention was also drawn to attempted suicides, the number of which
is believed to be at least 10 times more than those who succeed. The
group believes that continued physical and mental care for such
people is necessary to prevent repeat suicide attempts.

The group, which says that many suicides can be prevented if there is
enough support from society, is proposing detailed measures. These
include providing suicide prevention education at schools, increasing
the number of counselors and securing sufficient time for counseling
at schools, and providing counseling services for the unemployed and
multiple debtors. The group also suggests installing fences on train
platforms and even posting counseling service information at famous
suicide spots.

By considering the study group's proposals, local governments also
must work out their own measures, which would be responsive to
individual local situations.



-- Matt D.