Changes in suicide-related indices at a student counseling center at a Japanese University before and after COVID-19

Hisashi Otsuka; Shoko Fujiwara; Akira Takano

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103462

Changes in suicide-related indices at a student counseling center at a Japanese University before and after COVID-19

Asian J Psychiatr. 2023 Mar:81:103462. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103462. Epub 2023 Jan 10.

Authors

Hisashi Otsuka¹, Shoko Fujiwara², Akira Takano²

Affiliations

¹ Center for Research on Counseling and Support Services, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan. Electronic address: otsuka.hisashi@mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
² Center for Research on Counseling and Support Services, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan.

Abstract

Suicides by university students in Japan have increased with the onset of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Changes in the suicidality of clients in student counseling centers are unknown. We compared OQ 45.2, suicidal risk, and suicidality before and after the pandemic, testing 1801 clients at the Student Counseling Center of University A in Japan. The post-group exhibited significantly decreases in all suicide-related indices. Results reveal that fewer students may feel suicidal and that the number of consultations with suicidal students may have decreased. It is important to build support systems easier for students to access in crises and alone.

Keywords: COVID-19; Japan; Suicide; University students.

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Counseling
East Asian People
Humans
Students / psychology
Suicidal Ideation
Suicide* / psychology
Universities