Significant increase in child suicide What happened on December 23 at 21:52
"I can't help living myself" "I want to die" "I want to disappear"
Many screams from children to the counseling agency.
This is a significant increase in child suicide.
Since April, more than 300 people have already been pointed out as the background of social changes caused by corona.
To date, there have been no domestic deaths under teenagers due to corona infection (as of December 23).
"Why no one died from the infection," there is such a voice on the Internet.
What is happening to the children?
And what can adults do?
I interviewed.
(Network News Department, Mihoko Tanii)
30% increase from last year
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, a total of 48 elementary, junior high and high school students committed suicide in November.
It has nearly doubled from 26 in November last year.
The number of people who committed suicide has exceeded the previous year for the sixth straight month.
During the period from April to November, there were 329 people, 73 people, nearly 30% more than the same period last year.
The situation is clearly getting worse, but even if it is said that the influence of corona, it seems that we can understand exactly what is working and how it is working.
What is actually happening?
I asked the counseling institution that the people at the institution who are consulting on a daily basis must be able to feel the change.
"Isolation" and "valuelessness"
A total of more than 10 counseling institutions and medical institutions have been interviewed and seen.
It was the appearance of "isolated" children who had no place at school or at home.
As a result, I heard a heartbreaking cry of struggling with a sense of worthlessness that made me feel like a worthless being.
The cause of suicide is difficult to clarify because of multiple factors, but "isolation" and "sense of worthlessness" have long been said to be keywords when thinking about suicide in children. ..
It is said that these two are becoming more serious in Corona.
It is said that there are factors in each school and family where children spend their daily lives.
"Unfamiliar" with school
First is school.
Many people may think of "bullying" when it comes to school and suicide.
However, the counselors agree that the problem of bullying has not increased noticeably.
Then what is there?
Akiko Mura of the Tokyo Suicide Prevention Center says:
Mr. Mura, Tokyo Suicide Prevention Center
"Many children complain that they can't get used to it even after the school holidays, such as" I can't make friends easily. "
This year's school started with a long closure.
Even after resuming, many school events have been canceled, and there are fewer opportunities to foster relationships, such as being instructed not to talk during lunch.
Under such circumstances, children who are originally not good at making relationships do not get used to school life and become isolated.
"I failed to get a chance to make friends."
"Everyone has friends, but I'm the only one."
"I don't have a place to stay."
Such consultations are being made to each institution one after another.
It is said that "isolation" deepens worries and leads to the idea that oneself is worthless.
Akiko Mura, Tokyo Suicide Prevention Center
"It's a very painful experience for children to keep talking to no one at school. As a result, I
'm wondering
if I don't have to be myself."
"Unreliable" home
Then how about your home?
It is the exacerbation of abuse that the counseling agency feels an imminent crisis.
From the statistics of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it cannot be said that abuse is increasing rapidly.
However, some counseling organizations say, "I get the impression that there are more and more consultations such as" parents stay at home all the time by teleworking and receive rants "" (Children's Human Rights 110).
It is said that abused children deepen their "isolation" in an unfriendly family and lose the meaning of life.
Yasuyuki Shimizu, representative of Lifelink, points out the current situation as follows.
Representative Shimizu:
"There are cases where parents who have difficulty living in Corona are directing their stress to their children. Abuse is more likely to occur in an empty house than suddenly. And it's getting worse. It's a situation where children can't escape. "
However, in the case of corona sickness, children's "isolation" and "sense of worthlessness" can become serious even in families where abuse is not clear.
"Even when my parents are having a hard time, I can't do anything just by getting my tuition paid. It's better not to be myself."
It is said that children may be sensitive to the anxiety of their parents and may blame themselves.
Mr. Shinkouchi
"Children are greatly influenced by the fact that their parents are in a difficult situation. Under such circumstances, they are pondered and stressed. Gentle children tend to hold their parents in a way that does not bother them. "
If you catch a child's SOS
Yasuyuki Shimizu, Representative of Lifelink
"Currently, children have no escape. I can't get used to school. I'm uncomfortable at home. I'm having a hard time in a closed relationship."
Childline CEO Hiroshi Takemura
"Various factors are working like a body blow, and I feel that it is no longer good. The corona sickness has increased the punch and strength of the body blow."
How should we deal with the crisis of children?
The most important thing is to build a relationship of trust with your child.
Children can only talk about their painful feelings to death because they think they will accept them.
If you catch the SOS of a child around you, experts will ask you to treat it with the "TALK Principles".
"TALK Principles"
▼ Tell: "I'm worried" = Express your worries in words.
▼ Ask: "When do you want to die?" = Ask frankly about your feelings of "I want to die."
▼ Listen: "It's so hard to die" = Listen to your desperate feelings.
▼ Keep safe: "Don't leave alone" = Ensure safety and seek help from a third party such as a hospital or local counseling agency.
Words that deny the child's feelings, such as "Don't die" or "Don't say that," are strictly prohibited, even if they are in good faith.
Please listen to your feelings without giving an opinion and connect to a specialized agency as soon as possible.
If you suspect abuse, do not hesitate to contact the counseling agency.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has set up a nationwide dedicated dial "189 (Ichihayaku)" that connects to the child guidance center.
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
To feel "value that exists"
It is also important for children to feel that they are valuable on a daily basis.
This is because it leads to the ability of the child to raise the voice of "help".
We asked Dr. Kyoko Tanaka of the National Center for Child Health and Development, who cares for children's minds, about specific methods.
First, think together about the roles that children can play in the home.
The point is not to unilaterally force "do this".
And even if the child's behavior is not perfect from the perspective of an adult, it is to convey a feeling of gratitude such as "Thank you", "I'm saved", "I did it well".
It is said that such accumulation leads to the development of children's feelings that they are also useful.
It can also be used as a corona countermeasure.
For example, it would be good to have them think about and implement the rules for hand washing and disinfection in the house together.
Representative Director Takemura
"It is important for adults to recognize that children are also involved, and to create an environment where children can take the initiative in thinking, rather than imposing them. Originally, children have power. If you can feel that you have been accepted, you will be able to face and overcome the challenges yourself. "
I don't want children and adults to bother alone
All of the counseling agencies who spoke to us this time say, "I want you to talk to a reliable person or a specialized agency that accepts counseling first."
Because that is the first step.
And there is always a solution.
It is a consultation desk for children.
24-hour children's SOS dial (open all year round)
0120-0-78310 (Let's say Nayami)
Homepage that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has compiled a list of children's consultations
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/ seitoshidou / 06112210.htm (Leave the NHK site)
There is also a contact point for adults who are close to the child, as well as the child who is worried about it.
A site where you can search for various consultation agencies established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
http://shienjoho.go.jp/ (Leave the NHK site)
There are many methods such as telephone, email, and SNS.
Any method is fine.
First, ask for help.