Suicide Awareness Month – March 16 – April 30, 2024

TOLL FREE Support –  0800-300-8355 (TELL)

For many people in Japan, March and April are a time of great transitions. March is the end of the school year, the time to interview for new jobs, and a time when reports are due, contracts signed, and taxes filed. April is the start of the new school year, a time when young people move to junior high and go to university for the first time; for others, it is often the start of a new job and moving apartments. Change is a stressful and challenging period for many, that sadly sees more people in Japan become overwhelmed and die by suicide. 

Last year 21,818 people died by suicide. While this is a slight decrease from the previous year, this is a number that remains stubbornly high and represents the loss of around 59 people a day each, all of whom are someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, child, partner, friend, or colleague. For every life that is lost by suicide, research shows that 15 to 30 people are greatly affected by each death, which represents 350 – 650,000 lives impacted each year in Japan. 

March is suicide awareness month in Japan. Last year March and April saw roughly 65 people a day become overwhelmed and take their lives. Last year saw an increase in the number of people who died by suicide as a result of economic and financial issues with health issues reported as causing the most distress. From March 16 – April 29, TELL will offer TOLL FREE support for our Lifeline phone service, eliminating any financial barrier for anyone in distress. Our TOLL FREE number is 0800-300-8355 (TELL). 

We are asking you to join us in helping everyone make it to the next day. At TELL we are calling on everyone to check in with those around you, to notice any changes in their behaviours, and ask how they are going, and pass on our TOLL-FREE number 0800-300-8355 (TELL). 

These simple acts of connection and caring can go a long way in helping someone through these difficult times. You can find more information on our website on recognising the warning signs and how to respond to someone and help write a safety plan.