Health problems top list of suicide causes

Friday 31st October, 03:55 AM JST

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LIBERTAS at 05:25 PM JST - 31st October

33,093 people who killed themselves last year. That is the same as 300 Boeing 747´s crashing, and without counting the victims of the fallout on the ground. For every 1 ¨successful suicide¨, it is said that up to 10 others fail, and up to 10 other people are affected by it. THIS is a tragedy of inestimable proportions. So, along with "Concrete Nation" Japan is now "Suicide Nation", "Childless Nation" and "Ageing Nation!" What a legacy! Mr. Aso, what´s happening to your utsukusii-kuni? Or do you care?
smithinjapan at 05:28 PM JST - 31st October

Wow... what a study! Anyway, let's hope that Japan starts seeing things like pent-up stress, panic disorder, and depression not as belonging to a person who's 'handicapped' but as someone who just may need treatment from a doctor or doctors who are a little more with the times.
tzvete at 05:35 PM JST - 31st October

I do agree that "health problem" means more than illness.After watching this video,one would understand whrw the reason for these "health problems" lies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj9N52lRTAQ
Bento at 06:35 PM JST - 31st October

Thanks for the link tzete.
meanmutha at 06:47 PM JST - 31st October

realist. very real answer.
Disillusioned at 10:03 PM JST - 31st October

Wow! What an overwhelmingly significant finding! - Most people commit suicide due to mental illness. Which genius pondered over that one for three months? Idiots!
butterfly1 at 11:24 PM JST - 31st October

This is very close to home. My Japanese sister-in-law committed suicide 2 weeks ago. She was in her early 30's- a fabulous husband and two young children. She had been suffering with mental health issues for a few years. The story is, as a child she suffered physical and verbal abuse from both her parents. She was mentally stable until she had her own children and became petrified that she would harm them. Eventually that fear killed her. She didnt lay a hand on her children, and was a wonderful mother and wife. It is so hard for the family left. We are all feeling sadness, guilt, etc and trying to come to terms with what has happened and how we will deal with the situation that is left.
BlackFlag at 11:33 PM JST - 31st October

She was mentally stable until she had her own children and became petrified that she would harm them

sadly she has, what a waste
butterfly1 at 11:41 PM JST - 31st October

thats right blackflag :(
KitsuneYoukai at 01:34 AM JST - 1st November

Suicides due to mental health issues. Well, that was a no brainer. Anyone that can take it as far as to commit suicide must have some type of mental issue.
MikeyK at 03:59 AM JST - 1st November

health services for treating depression? is that counseling or Prozac? I would warn against using any type of mind altering drug. Do we really need another pill to make us think happier thoughts? or should we focus on the actual problem, and not just the symptoms?

Perhaps 60% are from mental health issues, but those issues (including depression) can stem from any number of sources. What is making them depressed? Isn't there a way to solve the problem without making someone get a lifetime prescription for a one-a-day pill that only benefits the pharmaceutical companies?
adaydream at 04:14 AM JST - 1st November

MikeyK at 03:59 AM JST - 1st November health services for treating depression? is that counseling or Prozac? I would warn against using any type of mind altering drug. Do we really need another pill to make us think happier thoughts? or should we focus on the actual problem, and not just the symptoms?

MikeyK, I've been suffering with depression for years. If it wasn't for my little pills I take every day, I'd be a mess. I understand why, I've been through hours and hours of therepy, but it's the pills that keeps me stable anymore. Keeps certain levels of hormones correct.

I have a great psychologist. And I see him periodically, but it's the pills that keeps me right.

There are a lot of people who either won't/don't recogonize they have a problem, don't have a support system to get them to help or can't get the will power to get help. I was in the third catagory till my mother and daughter made me go. < :-)
sensei258 at 06:46 AM JST - 1st November

butterfly1-I am sorry for your loss, and I hope time will soften your pain.
Disillusioned at 07:44 AM JST - 1st November

Three of my wife's friends have offed themselves in the seven years I've lived in Japan. All were 30-40y/o mothers leaving behind small children. Instead of wasting time and money to determine the blatantly obvious cause of suicide being mental health shouldn't they be examining the society to determine why there are so many mental health issues causing these suicides? But, I'd guess Japan would have to admit there are huge problems in the education and work sectors, wouldn't they?
butterfly1 at 11:38 AM JST - 2nd November

sensei258 - thank you.