A Decrease in Suicide Rates in Japanese Rural Towns after Community‐Based Intervention by the Health Promotion Approach

Abstract

A community-based intervention study for suicide prevention was conducted in six towns (total population 43,964) in Akita Prefecture of Japan according to a quasi-experimental design to reduce suicide rates in rural towns. Public awareness raising activities using a health promotion approach emphasizing the empowerment of residents and civic participation were conducted. The welfare measures of promoting a sense of purpose among senior citizens and creating a community network were also taken. As a result, the suicide rate per 100,000 in the intervention towns decreased from 70.8 before intervention (1999) to 34.1 after intervention (2004). The suicide rate per 100,000 in the control towns was 47.8 before intervention and 49.1 after intervention.

It all started in Falköping, Sweden: Safe Communities – global thinking and local action for safety

“…Suicide was reduced for females (by 76%), but not for males, and there was no change at all in the control area. Motohashi, Kaneko, Sasaki, and Yamaji (2007) reported on a programme in six towns in Akita Prefecture, where the suicide rate in the intervention towns decreased from 71/100,000 before (1999) to 34 after (2004) intervention. The corresponding rates in the control towns were 48 and 49.…”

A proposed approach to suicide prevention in Japan: the use of self-perceived symptoms as indicators of depression and suicidal ideation

“…Several studies [24,25] indicated that socioeconomic factors affect the suicide mortality rate in Japan; low income and conditions created by economic depression emerged as major factors. Recent studies have shown that a suicide prevention campaign has been effective in reducing the number of suicides in various areas in Japan, including Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region [26,27].…”

“…To tackle this problem, systematic intervention for suicide prevention has been conducted with a clear focus on community-based health promotion in this and other prefectures in the Tohoku region. For example, a community-based intervention was conducted in Akita Prefecture between 2001 and 2004 [27]. This was a nonrandomized control trial based on a quasiexperimental design, consisting of 43,963 residents in six towns as the intervention group and 297,071 residents in the other towns located in Akita Prefecture as the control group [27].…”

“…For example, a community-based intervention was conducted in Akita Prefecture between 2001 and 2004 [27]. This was a nonrandomized control trial based on a quasiexperimental design, consisting of 43,963 residents in six towns as the intervention group and 297,071 residents in the other towns located in Akita Prefecture as the control group [27]. The intervention program was as follows: (1) implementation of a resident-based survey on mental health, (2) specialist training on suicide prevention for public health and welfare staff, (3) residents' cooperation in performing basic resident surveys, planning independent meetings for mental health lectures, and raising awareness of theatrical performances, (4) distribution of list of counseling centers for residents with worries or concerns, and (5) establishment of a community network among senior citizens to eliminate the sense of psychological isolation by elderly people.…”

The Life Experiences of Community Older Adults With Mental Illness in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study

“…The adverse effect of late-life mental illness on physical health, social support systems, and overall functioning is a major burden in elderly people (WHO, 2012). Additionally, mental illnesses are preventable risk factors for mortality, particularly suicides linked to mental illness (Motohashi, Kaneko, Sasaki, & Yamaji, 2007). The prevalence of comorbid physical and mental illness increases with age, and the incidence of mental illness increases when physical illness becomes more pronounced (Barnett et al, 2012).…”