Japan’s Suicide Prevention Strategy
‐ Including challenges by the Centerfor Suicide Prevention‐
Tadashi TakeshimaCenter for Suicide Prevention,
National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Joint Symposium convened by NCNP and the University of Melbourne
Contents
1. Characteristics of suicide deaths in Japan from a statistical perspective
2. Development of suicide prevention strategy
3. Activities and challenges of the Center for Suicide Prevention
4. Conclusion
Number of suicides in Japan1899–2011
Data from Vital statistics of Japan
Characteristics of suicide deaths in Japan from a statistical perspective: Summary
1. Suicide rates in Japan increased sharply in 1998, particularly among middle‐aged men.
2. Suicide rates of older people are gradually decreasing, however that of younger people has been increasing.
3. Suicide rates among middle‐aged men who were divorced and unemployed have been extremely high.
4
Developmental Stages of Suicide Prevention Strategy in Japan
The First Phase 1998‐•2000/ Set a numerical target as part of “Healthy Japan 21”•2001/ The MHLW sets aside a budget for suicide prevention•2002/ Report by Suicide PreventionCouncil •2004/ Introduction of Policy for Depression
The Second Phase 2005‐•July 2005/ Upper House resolution to wrap up a comprehensive strategy against suicide•Sept 2005/ Suicide Prevention Liaison Committee (SPLC) established•Dec 2005/ A Report on National Suicide Prevention Strategy by SPLC
The Third Phase 2006‐•Oct 2006/ Foundation of the Center for Suicide Prevention (CSP) in NIMH, NCNP•June 2006/ Basic Act for Suicide Prevention (BA) passed•Oct 2006/ BA enforced•June 2007/ General Principles for Suicide Prevention Policy (GPSP) established•Oct 2008/ Partial Revision of the GPSP•Jun 2009/ Preparation of Special Fund for Local Governments•Aug 2012/ Revision of the GPSP
Time of Investigation (number of
local governments)
Dec, 2002（58）
Mar, 2008（64）
Apr, 2009（65）
Apr, 2010（66）
Apr, 2011(66)
Apr,2012(67)
Development
Stage
First Stage Third Stage
Cross-sectional
network in local
government
- 37（57.8%）
45（70.3%）
51（77.3%） 56(84.8%) 54(80.6%)
Suicide-prevention committee
6(10.2%)
61（95.3%）
64(98.5%)
64（97.0%） 63(95.5%) 65(97.9%)
Budget for suicide
prevention
8(13.6%)
63（98.4%）
65(100.0%)
65（98.5%）
66(100.0%) -
Local Governments’ Suicide Prevention
Numerical Target of the GPSP
• The target is to reduce the suicide rate by at least 20% from 2005 by 2016
• If the above target is achieved ahead of schedule, the target shall be readjusted
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
1月 2月 3月 4月 5月 6月 7月 8月 9月 10月 11月 12月
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
Number of Suicide Deaths by Month, 2008-2012
内閣府自殺対策推進室
27,858
Policy Proposal Human Resource Development
Research
Information gathering Information gathering and distribution
Collaboration Networks
Center for Suicide PreventionMission: support comprehensive suicide prevention activities of the central government from the viewpoint of mental health
The Recommendation for the Revision of GPSP by NCNP and Twenty nine Societies in 2012 June
• Balancing universal, selective, and indicated prevention, and reinforcing selective and indicated prevention.
• Supporting the use of knowledge obtained through experiences and research studies.
• Promoting specific and focused approaches for the “social factors” emphasized in the GPSP.
• Cultivating a better understanding that mental health issues are a national challenge that would help achieve a cohesive society.
• Reinforcing monitoring schemes by adding support for suicide attempters as well as use of services supporting high-risk individuals as outcome indices.
Preparatory Committee for Japan Consortium Promoting Evidenced‐based Suicide Prevention
• The aim of this committee is to support the promotion of comprehensive suicide prevention measures based on scientific evidence in our country.
• The activities of the committee will be as follows:1. Creation, aggregation and diffusion of scientific evidence
for suicide prevention through cooperation among the member organizations.
2. Preparation to set up Japan Consortium Promoting Evidenced‐based Suicide Prevention.
3. Other things required to achieve our goal.
• The members of the committee are academics & research institutions, local governments, private organizations related to suicide prevention.
1st Symposium of the Committee1. Objective:
This event aims to share the basic perspective for the promotion of comprehensive suicide prevention achieved through the cooperation among organizations related to suicide prevention. “The aggregation of and proposal for academic information on suicide prevention for the younger generation,” planned to be dealt with by the Preparatory Committee, will also be discussed.
2. Time： Wednesday, July 24, 201314:15 ‐ 17:30
3. Place: Sola City Conference Center Hall EAST4. Audience: Staff of academics & research
institutions, local governments, privateorganizations, etc. related to suicide prevention
Promote exchanges between the WHOand the CSP
• Invited a WHO team for a field visit with the aim of reviewing the national program for suicide prevention in 2012 January.
• Visited the WHO for information exchange in 2013 Jan.
• Participated in the first Planning Meeting for the World Suicide Report on 2013 Jun.
• Hold second Planning Meeting for the World Suicide Report next Dec.
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Evolution of Mental Health Care in Japan
3rd stage: integration of mental health care into society services
2nd stage: provision of mental health care in the community
1st stage: provision of mental health care in medical facilities
Conclusion• Suicide prevention strategies and activities carried out
previously in other countries mainly focused on the increase of access to mental health services for vulnerable subjects.
• Compared to these strategies and activities, Japan’s strategy has unique characteristics, which emphasize social factors and public awareness of suicide prevention activities.
• We believe that Japan’s suicide prevention effort has an innovative aspect, including comprehensive multi‐sectoralapproach by both health and non‐health sectors.
• It is our important future task to reinforce the efficacy and effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts by integrating mental health care into society services.
Thank you for listening to my presentation.
