[MHLW] Publication of the Report of the Expert Panel regarding the Promotion of Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Measures

On April 15, 2022, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) published the report of the Expert Panel regarding the Promotion of Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Measures.

The Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Council established the Expert Panel on March 5, 2019, according to the Comprehensive National Suicide Prevention Strategy (Cabinet decision made on July 25, 2017).  Its objectives are to ensure cooperation and collaboration with the national government, local governments, related organizations, and private organizations to promote national suicide prevention measures by reviewing the implementation status of measures based on the Strategy and the achievement of targets from a neutral and fair standpoint, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of the measures. Since then, the Expert Panel has held nine meetings and has prepared the report.

The following are the report’s main points upon review of the Strategy.

General Comments

(1) Organic linkage between related measures and relevant organizations to promote comprehensive measures

  • Comprehensive responses to persons under the self-reliance support system for the needy in coordination with related measures, such as measures against loneliness and isolation, support measures for children, and efforts to realize an inclusive society
  • Linkage with relevant local institutions and enhancement of the cooperation framework
  • Linkage with psychiatric, public health, and welfare measures

(2) Support considering the impact of Covid-19

  • Further analysis of the implications of suicide, utilization of ICT, and reinforcement of social safety nets

(3) Consideration for the honor of suicides and the peaceful life of those who have attempted suicide and their families

Individual measures

(4) Elimination of stigma

  • Promote awareness of the role of gatekeepers and that most suicides result from being trapped in a corner.

(5) Enhancement of the consultation system and easy-to-understand information regarding support measures and consultation services

  • Online consultation services using e-mail, SNS, etc., and systematic follow-up of consultation staff.
  • Provide consultation support for individual business owners, etc.

(6) Strengthen the medical collaboration system such that it links to a psychiatric treatment

  • Promote multidisciplinary support and collaboration among various medical institutions and departments through cooperation between doctors, the medical community, and local governments.

(7) Further promotion of measures against suicide among children and young people

  • Further promotion of education and awareness-raising related to the preservation of mental health, the improvement of the environment and the framework of  cooperation among associated organizations.

(8) Support for women

  • Support for women related to the Covid-19 pandemic
  • Support for pregnant women　

(9) Further promotion of measures against suicide caused by work-related problems

  • Further promotion of mental health measures in the workplace, including measures to prevent death from overwork and appropriate teleworking.

(10) Further support for the bereaved

  • Further support for bereaved families: Helping to resolve problems with the support of self-help groups for bereaved families and ensuring opportunities to learn from them.

(11) Measures for Internet use

  • Continue outreach efforts with ICT, such as cyber-patrolling and search advertising, and consider strengthening countermeasures against ICT-based slander and defamation.

(12) Responsible coverage of suicide cases

  • Request for responsible reporting on suicide cases in accordance with the Guidelines for Reporting Suicides

(13) Promote surveys and research that will contribute to the further promotion of comprehensive measures against suicide

  • Further promote the collection of necessary data and evidence, including epidemiological and scientific research.

For more information, please visit the website below (Japanese only):
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/shingi/other-syakai_396747_00002.html

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