Japan has always been one of the great powers of the world. It has one of the highest economies globally and that is due to the efficiency and perseverance of the Japanese workers. However, it has one of the highest suicide rates in the world which makes it sound abnormal for such a successful country. It reached 19.5 suicides among every 100,000 Japanese. In addition, In 2003, 34,000 lives were lost to suicide and the number decreased till it reached 21,897 suicides in 2016 which is still not a number to be celebrated. Japan suicide rate may be high as many Japanese suffer from financial problems. However, to explain the “Why” we need to look at Japan’s Religions which open possibilities to commit suicide.
The number of suicides in Japan was over 20,000 persons per year but this number jumped to over than 30,000 persons per year in 1998 when the Japanese financial crisis happened, since this crisis the number have been high. The Japanese financial crisis led Japan to witness what is called “the lost decade” as many people lost their money and jobs and faced poverty and unemployment.
According to Health and Global Policy Institute, this graph shows that suicides number increased steeply in 1998 and it stayed high ever since. “Following the 1998 financial crisis, most age groups for both men and women show an increased suicide rate” (Tanisho, 2013) The article also demonstrates that the highest proportion of suicides is among the middle-aged me. “Money related issues
Curtin, Sally C., M.A., Margaret Warner, Ph.D., and Holly Hedegaard, M.S.P.H. "Increase in Suicide in United States, 1999-2014." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 Mar. 2017. Web. 23 Mar. 2017. .
An increase in the global statistic of suicide rates has sparked a worldwide concern in mental health where it is put
Feelings of isolation have been linked to higher suicide rates. Durkheim’s study on suicide during the industrial revolution supports this theory as he states that, “people were increasingly disconnected from their communities and that this social upheaval had a greater effect on suicide rates than other factors like wealth” (Winner & Collishaw, 2011). Interestingly enough, despite the increase of media attention on suicide, no studies have been published that explain why suicide rates vary among different groups. However, various factors are involved in the decision to commit suicide. As a result, suicide rates vary according to race, gender and age.
In this economy, I keep seeing a case of history repeating itself. Optimism and rapid economic growth dominated the 1920s. So much so that this time period gained the nickname of “The Roaring Twenties.” The economy seemed like it would just keep going up and up forever. But then in 1929 it all came crashing down into a depression. In recent years, we experienced this same rapid expansion and contraction. Whenever the economy contracts so suddenly, we experience a rise in depressed behavior. “During the Great Depression in the United States, suicide rates hit a 99-year high (of 17 per 100,000 people)” (Elmhirst 26). When the recession began, suicides went up again. In the time between 2007 and 2008, calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Substantial cost of suicide exists within American society. The National Institute of Medical Health (NIMH, 2017), asserts that in 2013 suicide cost the United States economy 50.8 billion dollars. However, the CDC (2015) estimated in 2010, the cost of 44 billion dollars with 1,164,499 dollars spent per suicide for individuals over the age of ten. This cost reflects medical treatment and loss in productivity. Unfortunately, CDC (2015) reports that most individuals who engage in suicidal behavior never go on to seek treatment for their mental illness.
Over the past decade suicide rates have been either stagnant or have been decreasing over all of the demographics of people. One demographic of people's suicide rate, on the other hand, has risen at a substantial rate. Scientists and researchers have just started studying this trend and have yet to draw one specific reason on why middle aged white males suicide rates are climbing. The suicide rate for this demographic of people has just surpassed the deaths by automobile accidents. This recent epidemic has got many researchers and scientists asking the question of “why?”.
Aaron Kheriaty, director of the Medical Ethics Program at Cal-Irvine, wrote in his article First Things, that the “suicide crisis in America has reached epidemic proportions.” Suicide rates have continued to grow coast-to-coast in both urban and rural areas, and have affected the old and young alike. Amazingly, suicide rates have climbed so high that for the first time since the 1930s, the life expectancy of Americans has declined. When you think
Despite the shame that results in Japanese culture from committing suicide, the act is increasingly common among its citizens. In fact, is has proven to be the leading cause of death for men between the ages of 20 and 44 years. We hope you enjoyed exploring our list of the 51 most surprising things that you didn’t know about
Consequently, the economic impact of completed suicides in 2010 falls around $44 billion annually. This is because the economic burden tends to effect working age citizens more often than those who commit suicide (2015). However, non-fatal suicide attempts cost around $2 billion annually for hospitalization costs, and another $4.3 billion is spent on indirect costs such as the loss of wages over an extended period of time (2015). Although these costs seem to be more of a private trouble rather than a
Suicide is the act of killing yourself. It is the 11th leading cause of death in America (CDC 2009). I have never had any intentions on committing suicide and I never really understood why people commit suicide that’s why I chose this topic to help me understand what problems people go through that makes them do such a thing. Sociology is the study of social behavior and the culture of humans. There are numerous reasons like financial stress, family problems or mental health disorders that lead to suicide. The number one cause of suicide is untreated depression. The issues that were just listed are some social conditions from society that results in a suicidal
Suicide was seen as a just way to die if one was faced with unendurable suffering - be it physical or emotional”. Throughout time, suicide has been viewed and dealt with in countless ways. Recently in America, the problem has grown increasingly. In the past decade, suicide rates have been on the incline; especially among men. According to the New York Times (2013), “From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among Americans ages 35 to 64 rose by nearly 30 percent… The suicide rate for middle-aged men was 27.3 deaths per 100,000, while for women it was 8.1 deaths per 100,000”. A 30 percent increase with an average of 19 more male suicides than female suicides is certainly an issue for both genders, and an epidemic for men. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (n.d.), found that in 2010, 38,364 suicides were reported, with 78.9% being men. The economic recession, unemployment, and various other factors are speculated to be responsible for this incline in male suicide. As of 2010, an estimated 30,308 men ended their own lives, and it seems as if there is a great risk of that number increasing each year.
Korea’s suicide rate of the elderly is nearly four times the average for OECD countries, with poverty widely understood to be an underlying factors.
China’s suicide rate is among the highest in the world. Globally, men are more likely to die by suicide but women are more likely to attempt it. This is the case for most countries but China is one of the few in which women are more likely to die by suicide. According the World Health Organization, in 1987-1999 the suicide rate per 100,000 people was 15-13 for men and 20-15 for women. China’s suicide rates has decreased dramatically since the 1990s, however a study done in 2008 by Samuel Law and Pozi Liu shows that the ratio of suicide of women and men more or less keeps on being around 3:1. Law and Pozi also found this ration to be the same for rural to urban suicides. Young females suicides in rural areas of China were a major contribution to suicide rates of China during 1990s. This may be due to the cultural-socioeconomic disadvantages that Chinese rural females hold. In this essay, the possible causes for such high rates in young females suicides in rural China will be explored and comparison as well as connections will be made to Sociologist and Philosopher Emile Durkheim’s thoughts on suicide.
Asia is known to be one of the fastest growing countries both in population and economically. It is also a continent with countries that are known for its long held traditions and values such as the importance of communities and families. In recent times, a country’s growth is the reason for the increase of suicide rates in Asia. It also has been a catalyst for single person households. Durkheim, a sociologist known as the father of sociology, has pointed out the consistent relationship between socioeconomic factors such as GNP per capita, population growth etc. and suicide rates.
Do economic classes affect the percentage of suicide rates? All types of people, rich and poor commit suicide, but suicide and suicide prevention are growing. The lives of about 4600 young people are lost because of suicide every year (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). So what is the country offering to help? There are many programs and treatments to help those who have resorted to or contemplated suicide. Specialized programs have been created, but not all are accessible. Money issues make it hard for some to access treatment. Economic classes are important factors in success rates of suicidal teens who receive treatment and those who do not. For young people between the ages of 1024, suicide is the third leading