The personal yet global struggle with mental health may be more visible now than ever before. Yet many people still find it difficult to access the support they need. In Japan, suicide is sadly the leading cause of death for young people. Researchers, including from the University of Tokyo, have carried out a six-year study to better understand the myriad of factors which can impact adolescent mental health.
After surveying 2,344 adolescents and their caregivers, and using computer-based deep learning to process the results, they were able to identify five categories which the young people could be grouped into. Nearly 40% of those involved were classified as groups with some problems. Of these, almost 10% lived with mental health problems which had not been identified by their caregivers. This group were most at risk of self-harm and suicidal ideation. Identifying the factors which may lead young people to suicide and who is most at risk is key to supporting preventive efforts and early intervention.
In Japan, suicide is sadly the leading cause of death for young people. https://t.co/YcMXFkAJ5X
— RehabNearMe (@RehabNear_Me) January 5, 2024