I know Japan is not the best comparison to the West due to their unique cultural attitude/tolerance towards suicides, especially in regards to people perceived to be "dishonored" due to falling on hard luck. However, it is still a stark reminded of what the lockdowns lead to and I suspect we may see similar numbers in Western countries over the next 1-2 years when the economic toll of the lockdowns fully dawns upon the general population. I am surprised to see CNN report on such issues, but I guess even they cannot afford to ignore reality all the time.
In Japan, more people died from suicide last month than from Covid in all of 2020 - CNN
"...The first time, she was just 22 years old with a full-time job in publishing that didn't pay enough to cover her rent and grocery bills in Tokyo. "I was really poor," said Kobayashi, who spent three days unconscious in hospital after the incident. Now 43, Kobayashi has written books on her mental health struggles and has a steady job at an NGO. But the coronavirus is bringing back the stress she used to feel. "My salary was cut, and I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel," she said. "I constantly feel a sense of crisis that I might fall back into poverty." Experts have warned that the pandemic could lead to a mental health crisis. Mass unemployment, social isolation, and anxiety are taking their toll on people globally. In Japan, government statistics show suicide claimed more lives in October than Covid-19 has over the entire year to date. The monthly number of Japanese suicides rose to 2,153 in October, according to Japan's National Police Agency. As of Friday, Japan's total Covid-19 toll was 2,087, the health ministry said."
Btw, before people try to explain this with something specific to Japan - their suicide rate declined ~30% over the last decade. So, this is another strong sign that the shocking jump in suicide this year is lockdown-related.
Japan: number of suicides 2019 | Statista
@Drareg @tankasnowgod
In Japan, more people died from suicide last month than from Covid in all of 2020 - CNN
"...The first time, she was just 22 years old with a full-time job in publishing that didn't pay enough to cover her rent and grocery bills in Tokyo. "I was really poor," said Kobayashi, who spent three days unconscious in hospital after the incident. Now 43, Kobayashi has written books on her mental health struggles and has a steady job at an NGO. But the coronavirus is bringing back the stress she used to feel. "My salary was cut, and I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel," she said. "I constantly feel a sense of crisis that I might fall back into poverty." Experts have warned that the pandemic could lead to a mental health crisis. Mass unemployment, social isolation, and anxiety are taking their toll on people globally. In Japan, government statistics show suicide claimed more lives in October than Covid-19 has over the entire year to date. The monthly number of Japanese suicides rose to 2,153 in October, according to Japan's National Police Agency. As of Friday, Japan's total Covid-19 toll was 2,087, the health ministry said."
Btw, before people try to explain this with something specific to Japan - their suicide rate declined ~30% over the last decade. So, this is another strong sign that the shocking jump in suicide this year is lockdown-related.
Japan: number of suicides 2019 | Statista
@Drareg @tankasnowgod
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