Suicide Rates in Japan and South Korea: COVID-19’s Global Consequences on Mental Health

Thumbnail: Douglas P. Perkins, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out at the start of 2020, every country’s biggest concern was the physical well-being of its population. While that remains a top priority, almost two years down the line, another potentially global crisis has arisen: a decline in mental health. Its detrimental consequences have become evident through suicide records released by Japan and South Korea, which experts fear will be mirrored across the globe.

South Korea and Japan are among the few countries that release timely suicide rates, with data being produced almost every few months. In comparison, most countries take up to one or two years to do so, such as America, whose last release was in 2018. The frequent release of suicide data is societally crucial as it enables the up-to-date identification of high-risk demographics and analysis of potential causes. A study showed that at the start of the pandemic, suicides seemed to decline in Japan: from February to June 2020, the rates went down by 14%. This is believed to be a result of reduced working hours, school closures and generous governmental subsidies, which would have provided momentary relief for many. Furthermore, states of emergencies, such as was announced in Japan at the time, trigger people’s survival instincts, decreasing suicidal thoughts. However, this did not last. By July 2020, the pandemic had begun to take a toll on the general public’s mental wellbeing, with monthly suicide rates increasing by 16% by October. That month saw 2153 suicides, which was higher than the total COVID-19 death toll of 2,087.

Similarly, in South Korea, the overall monthly suicide rates were above 1000 by December 2020, more than double the total amount of COVID-19 deaths in the country. The Seoul Suicide Prevention Center also received a record number of calls. There seems to be a direct correlation between the severity of COVID-19 and the decline in mental health: the higher the infection rate, the higher the number of suicides. Notably, in both countries, women and children were most affected: in Japan, female suicides rose by 37% and children to adolescents rose by 49%. Pre-pandemic, the male suicide ratio used to be much higher. In South Korea, there was a 40% rise in suicides among women in their 20s from January to June 2020 compared to 2019.

So why did suicide rates increase?

Among many factors, unemployment is one of the main causes of suicide in our post-pandemic world. COVID-19 caused a sudden shortage in jobs, with companies and businesses around the globe having to shut down. Furthermore, despite continued unemployment, government subsidy plans that were initially available have proven unsustainable, increasing the threat of poverty. In fact, in November 2020, 40% of South Korean college graduates had given up their job search. Studies have also shown that women are disproportionately affected economically as they are more likely to be employed in retail or service industries, which have been the hardest hit by COVID-19 restrictions. In Japan, women accounted for 66% of job losses. This explains the sharp increase in specifically female suicides. In addition, domestic affairs continue to be traditionally female based in Japan and South Korea, meaning that in addition to job difficulties, women are burdened with housework as well as caring for any children at home.

Women are also frequent targets of domestic violence, along with children. COVID-19 has meant that families across the world have been forced to stay home together more, trapping victims with their abusers.

Children are additionally subjected to increased academic pressure from having their education so severely disrupted and then having to catch up. Furthermore, after the three month school closure in Japan, schools reopened in June 2020 and an increase in bullying was reported.

Moreover, loneliness and isolation are a continuous factor in suicides as COVID-19 shows no signs of relenting. Those that are unemployed, as well as those whose companies or schools continue to be remote, are most strongly affected by this, especially if they live alone.

How is this globally relevant?

Although global statistics on post-pandemic suicide rates are not yet available, the situation in Japan and South Korea is likely to be mirrored across the world. This is due to the fact that issues of unemployment, domestic violence, educational trouble and isolation are problems that almost every country has been confronted with since the beginning of 2020. Thus, it is probable that mental health has been negatively affected on a global scale. Indeed, some preliminary research suggests so: the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in 2020, 1 in 10 participants had seriously considered suicide within a month, which was twice the rate of 2018.

Notably, certain parts of the world have even faced problems additional to the ones of Japan and South Korea, such as Asian hate crimes. Since COVID-19, there has been an increase in racism towards Asians, which has resulted in harassment and violence. This has most likely severely affected the mental health of Asian populations living in foreign countries.

Additionally, neither Japan nor South Korea have ever enforced a national lockdown, but many countries have. This means that isolation and loneliness are likely to be more intense in such places. The UK, for example, has had 3 national lockdowns since the start of 2020, lasting months at a time, with incredibly strict rules against meeting people outside your support bubble. Although no national suicide statistics are available yet, a study conducted in 2020 in the UK saw a rise in suicidal thoughts during the first six weeks of lockdown, women and young adults once more being the most affected.

It is, thus, undeniable that COVID-19 has severely impacted mental health and the data from Japan and South Korea seems only to foreshadow its detrimental consequences. Experts have advised that funding and investment in mental health are a crucial key to resolving this issue.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, help is available. In the UK, dial 0800 689 5652. In Japan, dial 03-5774-0992. In South Korea, dial 1566-2525. For a list of other countries’ helplines please visit: https://ibpf.org/resource/list-of-international-suicide-hotlines/

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