Work

Suicide deaths among informal caregivers in an aging society: Insights from 18 years of national data in Japan

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study provides the first systematic evidence on suicide deaths attributable to caregiver burden among informal caregivers, using national suicide death records from Japan between 2007 and 2024. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study using suicide surveillance data from the National Police Agency. METHODS: We analyzed 18 years (2007-2024) of suicide data from Japan's National Police Agency, which includes detailed information on reasons for suicide and sociodemographic characteristics of suicide decedents. Cases were classified as caregiving-related if the suicide was attributed to caregiver burden based on evidence gathered by the police. We compared the sociodemographic characteristics of caregiver-related suicide deaths to those of all suicide deaths during the same period. RESULTS: Out of 455,474 suicide deaths over 18 years, 4914 (1.08 %) were identified as related to caregiver burden. On average, 273 individuals per year (SD = 52.96) died by suicide for caregiving-related reasons. These deaths were more likely to occur among women (41 % vs. 31 %), older individuals, and the unemployed (72 % vs. 57 %) compared to all suicide deaths, with all differences statistically significant (p < 0.001). Although most caregiver-related suicides occurred among older adults, young individuals also died by suicide due to caregiving burdens, including four under age 20 and 42 in their 20s. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers important initial evidence on suicide deaths among informal caregivers. The findings underscore the urgent need to support caregivers and prevent caregiver-related suicides as a public health priority in aging societies.

Source: Public Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106015

Author: Michiko Ueda

Institution: Syracuse University

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,130