Suicide and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis, but its effect on suicide deaths is little understood. Method: We analyzed data from monthly suicide statistics between January 2017 and August 2020 and online surveys on mental health among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Results: Compared to the last three years (2017-2019), the number of suicide deaths was lower during the initial phase of the pandemic but subsequently exceeded the past trend. By August 2020, the total number of suicides was 7.72% higher than the average number of suicides in the same month of the previous three years. The largest increase was found in suicides by young women (less than 40 years of age), with a 63.1% increase in August 2020 compared to the same month in the past three years. The number of suicides among students and housekeepers in summer months was notably larger in 2020. The survey data indicated that the status of mental health among young women was worse than that of women in other age groups. In addition, young female workers were more likely to have experienced a job or income loss in recent months compared to any other groups, suggesting adverse economic conditions surrounding some of these young female workers. Conclusion: Our results strongly indicate that continuous monitoring of mental health, particularly that of the most vulnerable populations identified in this study, and appropriate suicide prevention efforts are necessary during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suicides in the COVID-19 Pandemic — Are We Well Informed Regarding Current Risks and Future Prospects?

“…Suicide frequency in St. Petersburg per 100,000 female population in the first 7 months in 2020 in comparison to corresponding period average in 2016-2019 0 38 Consortium Psychiatricum | 2021 | Volume 2 | Issue 1 EDITORIAL due to social integration and strengthening of the invisible links that make societies more united in the face of a danger to the whole population. 11Our results are consistent with these studies that find or predict a drop in suicide incidence in the acute phase of a crisis [12][13][14]. We have used a blunt method of evaluation of suicide incidence change known as excess mortality -comparison between incidence during the fixed period (i.e., April) in four to five previous years and in the index year, and covering adjusted periods.April is the best period from this point of view, since government containment measures had just been introduced, and they were rather harsh and severe (described by some authors as Draconian).18 This can provide further explanations for the drop in the number of suicides.…”

“…In support of this, several reports from different countries shortly after the announcement of the COVID-19 pandemic, have presented data that show that the number of suicide attempts and suicides did not increase, on the contrary, they seemed to go down during the introduction of "stay at home" orders. [12][13][14] While this immediate effect may be understood…”

Trends in suicide during the covid-19 pandemic

“…The 20% decrease in Japan early in the pandemic seemed to reverse in August, when a 7.7% rise was reported. 9 Evidence from previous epidemics suggests a short term decrease in suicide can occur initially-possibly linked to a "honeymoon period" or "pulling together" phenomenon. 5 Trends in certain groups may be hidden when looking at overall rates, and the National Child Mortality Database has identified a concerning signal that deaths by suicide among under 18s may have increased during the first phase of lockdown in the UK.…”

Efficiency and Quality of Data Collection Among Public Mental Health Surveys Conducted During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review

“…Any change in the mental health impact of COVID-19 is likely to be dynamic. For example, the 20% decrease in suicide rate in Japan observed during the early stage of the pandemic seemed to have reversed in August 2020, when a 7.7% rise was reported [ 3 ]. Therefore, a timely surveillance method is urgently needed to track the impact of COVID-19 on public mental health.…”