Suicide Prevention Network (february 22,2005)
Groups share pain of suicides
“The nonprofit organization Lifelink Suicide Prevention Action Network held a symposium Sunday in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, to call for cooperation among similar groups to support the bereaved families of those who have committed suicide. The symposium was the first of its kind to promote mutual cooperation among organizations that support families.
The annual number of suicides has exceeded 30,000 for six consecutive years up to 2003. Bereaved family members, researchers and government officials who participated in the meeting discussed the importance of cooperation among support groups.
According to Lifelink, there are only about 10 groups nationwide that offer support to the families of those who have committed suicide.
One participant, Kenji Kawano from the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, said, “There’s much demand from bereaved families to join support groups to talk about their experiences, but at present we can’t meet their needs..”
Yomiuri Shimbun, 22nd February, 2005
