Japan’s fight against loneliness and suicide during the pandemic

That humans are inherently social beings is well-established. Strong social relationships have long been linked to physical and mental well-being. The largest study on happiness conducted by Harvard University has consistently found a strong association between happiness and close relationships, and the lack of social relationships or social isolation has been linked to suicidal tendencies.

Suicide is currently one of the top 20 leading causes of death worldwide. Over 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which exceeds deaths from diseases such as malaria and breast cancer. The growing ubiquity of suicides has in fact led to its inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals, where countries have pledged to reduce their suicide mortality rate by promoting mental health and well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences have undoubtedly been stressful for people across the world. However, its barriers to social interaction have been particularly detrimental to mental health. Several countries have reported an escalation of mental health issues and suicide during the pandemic, and mental health was one of the most searched topics on the internet in 2020.

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Reversal of a trend?

Globally, suicide rates have been on a gradual decline since the 2000s. The global number of suicides (per 100,000 people) dropped by 22% between 2000 and 2016, however, there is a risk of a reversal in this trend owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 40% of the 18 years+ adults surveyed reported struggling with mental health, substance abuse, or suicidal tendencies. 31% reported anxiety and depression symptoms, 26% reported trauma and stress-induced disorders and 11% reported seriously considering suicide.

The study found that young adults, racial and ethnic minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers were disproportionately affected.

Amidst rising suicide rates in the country, Japan recently constituted a Ministry of Loneliness to prevent social loneliness and isolation. The country recorded more deaths from suicide than from COVID-19 in the month of October.

Researchers estimate a 16% increase in suicides in the second wave of COVID-19 infections between July and October.

Women, children, and adolescents were found to be disproportionately affected, similar to findings from the US, raising caution to the reversal of another trend as suicides have historically been more prevalent among men.

In a mental health survey of 10,981 Japanese citizens, half of the respondents admitted to feeling anxious during the pandemic. “I felt irritable”. “I felt fidgety”. “I felt depressed and I felt like I could not feel clear no matter what happened”, expressed respondents.

COVID-related anxieties included the fear of getting infected, shortages in medical necessities, the inability to travel, lack of access to essential medical care, and their family and friends.

Suicide and social loneliness in Japan

In 2016, Japan ranked 14th in the list of countries with the highest number of suicides. For every 100,000 Japanese people, nearly 19 die every year from suicide. This is 75% higher than the global average.

Among its neighbours in the Western Pacific Region, Japan records the second-highest number of deaths from suicide, preceded only by South Korea.

Individuals feeling socially isolated are more likely to consider self-harm and suicide. A 2018 study on social isolation in the US, UK and Japan found that isolation is becoming more prevalent as we substitute technology for human connection.

One in ten adults in Japan reported often or always feeling lonely, feeling that they lack companionship and that their loneliness has had a negative impact on various aspects of their life. Contrary to popular belief, loneliness is highly prevalent at younger ages.

Japan’s Ministry of Loneliness

In his announcement of a dedicated ministry to tackle the issue of loneliness in Japan, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga stated that the problem seems more prevalent amongst women, and ordered the government body to “examine the issue and put forward a comprehensive strategy”.

Japan, however, is not the first country to dedicate a Ministry to the issue of loneliness. The UK, Canada, and UAE have running Ministries of Loneliness and Social Harmony that have launched efforts to educate the public on mental health and connect those in need to mental health professionals.

Their impact on concrete mental health indicators is yet to be established. However, Japan’s decision to dedicate public resources is a signal of recognition of a looming public health issue that requires urgent action.