stress and suicide
by Wendy Moore
When pressures at work seem too much to bear it is easy to feel depressed and even desperate. But in Japan, workers are paying the ultimate price for office stress.
© C4/intuitis
Suicides in Japan have reached record levels, as a Channel 4 documentary Suicide (in The Secret Lives of Japan series screened in January 2001) powerfully revealed. A decade of rising unemployment and economic slump has led increasing numbers of senior business executives to take their own lives rather than face the shame of failure.
Among them are some of the country's most high profile businessmen, like Tadayo Honma, the former president of the Aozora Bank, who was found hanging from a curtain rail in a hotel room in September 2000.
More than 33,000 people killed themselves in Japan in 1999, an increase of 185 on the previous year, according to the British Medical Journal. This rise has brought the Japanese suicide rate to one of the highest in the world. Latest figures from the World Health Organisation published in 2001, show suicide rates of 26 men and 12 women for every 100,000 people in Japan, compared to a figure of 12 and 3 for men and women in the UK for the year 1997.
The main reason cited is illhealth but the most shocking trend is the 12% rise in people who left a note saying they killed themselves for financial reasons. Some of these are Japan's new unemployed – finding themselves out of work after decades of full employment. Business failures are blamed for 1,026 deaths.
Most suicides – more than 70% – are by men and nearly half of them are in their 40s and 50s. Commentators believe that the cultural attitude towards suicide may play a part. Unlike most countries, Japan has no moral taboo against suicide and in some circumstances it is deemed an 'honourable' act.
Official figures from the Japanese health ministry this year report that 143 people died in 2001 from 'overwork' or 'karoshi', the highest figure since the phenomenon was first described in 1987. Yet the real death toll from overwork is put much higher. As many as 50,000 workers are believed to die prematurely each year due to heart disease or strokes through the effects of excessively long hours and other stresses at work.
could it happen here?
With stress in the workplace reaching record levels in the UK, there are concerns we may see similar suicide rises here. But while there are some similarities between the situation in Japan and the UK there are also major differences.
Most suicides in the UK – just as in Japan and many other countries – are by men. Nearly three times as many men as women kill themselves in England and Wales, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. In 2000, 3,659 men and 1,263 women took their own lives.
young men most at risk here
The number of men committing suicide here has risen substantially since 1979 but – unlike in Japan – the increase has been most marked among young men, aged 20 to 35. Suicides among men aged 25 to 34 have risen by 30% since 1983, according to the ONS.
Researchers have suggested that growing instability in jobs is one reason for rising suicides among young men here. Another factor is believed to be the fact that men are far less likely than women to see a GP when depressed – and talk over their thoughts about suicide.
Relationship problems are still the reason most often given for contemplating suicide by callers to The Samaritans helpline, according to a spokesperson. But she says: 'There does seem to be an awful lot of stress in the working population here.' Problems at work and anxieties about the future are more commonly cited by men than women.
Professor Cary Cooper, Bupa professor of organisational psychology and health at the University of Manchester's Institute of Science and Technology, believes the Japanese situation is unique.
'It is a different culture,' he says. 'It is unique to that country because when somebody feels they can't deal any longer with a problem they feel they are letting down their company and the way in which they save face is to kill themselves. In our case people just get burned out and become physically or mentally ill.'
stress can cause suicidal thoughts
Nevertheless, Prof Cooper is concerned that workplace stress may fuel increased suicides here too. He is certain some people under stress do experience suicidal thoughts. But for many people stress counselling at work provides a safe place to talk about their feelings. He advised the Japanese government to look for a culturally acceptable way to introduce something similar over there.
Professor Keith Hawton of the Centre for Suicide Research at Oxford University, agrees Japan's rising suicides are probably a cultural phenomenon which will probably not develop here.
'We know workplace stress is important,' he says. 'But I suspect when it becomes most important is when it is combined with other factors in an individual's life such as alcohol abuse and relationship problems.'
But Peter Baker, editor of the men's health website www.malehealth.co.uk, says he would not be surprised if workplace stress caused suicides to rise here too. He believes longer working hours combined with men's changing domestic role and climbing divorce rates may cause more suicides.
it's good to talk
The main problem is men's fear of talking about their worries, says Peter Baker. Although in Japan this reaches extremes, it is also a big factor in Britain too. He argues that health services and other agencies need to adapt to offer men ways in which they feel comfortable talking about their problems.
One service which already does that is the helpline run by CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) in Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria and Bedfordshire. Aimed at young men, the helpline – funded by the Department of Health and local health bodies – has advised more than 30,000 callers since it was launched in its different areas during the past few years. The service, which began in Manchester but has since expanded to other places, is promoted through club-style fliers, beer mats, urinal posters, gym stickers, take-away lids and – especially – word of mouth.
Co-ordinator Pippa Sargent says up to one in 10 of the callers feel suicidal, although the main idea is to offer men a chance to talk before they reach such desperate levels. Work stress is mentioned by a significant number of men in the 26-35 age group, she says.
Two thirds of callers to the helpline are not in touch with any other service or their own doctor. By reaching people before problems accumulate or become too big to deal with, the helpline aims to signpost young men to services local to them, such as face to face counselling, advice on debt, or even just their local sports centre.
'Ultimately we want to reduce the stigma attached to talking,' she adds. 'The message is "Don't bottle it up".'
help and info
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.
To find out more about suicide check out the feature suicidal feelings in the mind section. You can read about one person's suicide attempt and their recovery afterwards in after a suicide attempt.
organisations
CALM – Campaign against living miserably
Freephone: 0800 58 58 58 (Every day 5pm-3am)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Confidential, anonymous freephone helpline aimed at young men aged 15-35 living in Manchester, Merseyside, Cumbria and Bedfordshire who may be feeling low or depressed. Offers telephone counselling and information about other sources of help locally.
Samaritans
c/o Chris
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours)
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
The Samaritans exists to provide confidential emotional support to any person, irrespective of race, creed, age or status who is in emotional distress or at risk of suicide; 24 hours a day. Can be contacted by e-mail, telephone, writing, or by visiting one of over 200 local branches (details are on the website).
websites
Centre for Suicide Research
http://cebmh.warne.ox.ac.uk/csr/
The Centre is based in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. The work of the research group is focused on investigation of the causes, treatment and prevention of suicidal behaviour.
'Suicides in Japan Reach a Record High'
http://bmj.com/...
News article from the BMJ 2000; 321: 528 (2 September). Discusses suicide in Japan.
Male Health
www.malehealth.co.uk
Provides accurate, easy-to-use information and resources about key health problems affecting men. Features tips, advice and details of how men can check their own health and use health professionals more effectively. Run by the Men's Health Forum.
(updated November 2002, resources updated April 2005)
