Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 12/2014

01-12-2014 | Original Paper

Time-related changes in suicide attempts after the nuclear accident in Fukushima

Authors: Yuta Aoki, Megumi Okada, Ryota Inokuchi, Akinori Matsumoto, Yoshibumi Kumada, Hideyuki Yokoyama, Tokiya Ishida, Itaru Saito, Humihito Ito, Hajime Sato, Jun Tomio, Kazuaki Shinohara, Graham Thornicroft

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 12/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study is to assess whether the risk or types of suicide change in Fukushima in the aftermath of a series of disaster, including earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident in March 2011.

Method

The clinical records of all patients visited to the medical centre near the nuclear plant from 1 year before to 1 year after the disaster were reviewed (n = 981). Patients with non-fatal suicide attempt were divided into two categories depending on their method of suicide attempt. Standardised mortality ratios were calculated to adjust for changes in demographic profiles.

Results

The risk of non-fatal suicide attempts using high-mortality methods was significantly higher for 4 months, by three to four times after the series of disasters, and then decreased. There was no significant increase of non-fatal suicide attempts using low-mortality methods after the disaster.

Conclusions

After such a disaster, immediate psychiatric support may be required because of the increased risk of non-fatal suicide attempts in the immediate aftermath.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Amaddeo F, Tansella M (2012) Mental health, natural and human-made disasters: lessons learnt and future needs. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 21(1):1–5PubMedCrossRef Amaddeo F, Tansella M (2012) Mental health, natural and human-made disasters: lessons learnt and future needs. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 21(1):1–5PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Suzuki Y, Kim Y (2012) The great east Japan earthquake in 2011; toward sustainable mental health care system. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 21(1):7–11PubMedCrossRef Suzuki Y, Kim Y (2012) The great east Japan earthquake in 2011; toward sustainable mental health care system. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 21(1):7–11PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Aoki A, Aoki Y, Harima H (2012) The impact of the Great East Japan earthquake on mandatory psychiatric emergency hospitalizations in Tokyo: a retrospective observational study. Trans Psychiatry 2:e168CrossRef Aoki A, Aoki Y, Harima H (2012) The impact of the Great East Japan earthquake on mandatory psychiatric emergency hospitalizations in Tokyo: a retrospective observational study. Trans Psychiatry 2:e168CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Shioiri T, Nishimura A, Nushida H, Tatsuno Y, Tang SW (1999) The Kobe earthquake and reduced suicide rate in Japanese males. Arch Gen Psychiatry 56(3):282–283PubMedCrossRef Shioiri T, Nishimura A, Nushida H, Tatsuno Y, Tang SW (1999) The Kobe earthquake and reduced suicide rate in Japanese males. Arch Gen Psychiatry 56(3):282–283PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Nishio A, Akazawa K, Shibuya F, Abe R, Nushida H, Ueno Y, Nishimura A, Shioiri T (2009) Influence on the suicide rate two years after a devastating disaster: a report from the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 63(2):247–250PubMedCrossRef Nishio A, Akazawa K, Shibuya F, Abe R, Nushida H, Ueno Y, Nishimura A, Shioiri T (2009) Influence on the suicide rate two years after a devastating disaster: a report from the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 63(2):247–250PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Bourque LB, Siegel JM, Shoaf KI (2002) Psychological distress following urban earthquakes in California. Prehosp Disaster Med 17(2):81–90PubMed Bourque LB, Siegel JM, Shoaf KI (2002) Psychological distress following urban earthquakes in California. Prehosp Disaster Med 17(2):81–90PubMed
7.
go back to reference Shoaf K, Sauter C, Bourque LB, Giangreco C, Weiss B (2004) Suicides in LOS Angeles County in relation to the Northridge earthquake. Prehosp Disaster Med 19(4):307–310PubMed Shoaf K, Sauter C, Bourque LB, Giangreco C, Weiss B (2004) Suicides in LOS Angeles County in relation to the Northridge earthquake. Prehosp Disaster Med 19(4):307–310PubMed
8.
go back to reference Kessler RC, Galea S, Jones RT, Parker HA, Hurricane Katrina Community Advisory G (2006) Mental illness and suicidality after Hurricane Katrina. Bull World Health Organ 84(12):930–939PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Kessler RC, Galea S, Jones RT, Parker HA, Hurricane Katrina Community Advisory G (2006) Mental illness and suicidality after Hurricane Katrina. Bull World Health Organ 84(12):930–939PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Claassen CA, Carmody T, Stewart SM, Bossarte RM, Larkin GL, Woodward WA, Trivedi MH (2010) Effect of 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA on suicide in areas surrounding the crash sites. Br J Psychiatry 196(5):359–364PubMedCrossRef Claassen CA, Carmody T, Stewart SM, Bossarte RM, Larkin GL, Woodward WA, Trivedi MH (2010) Effect of 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA on suicide in areas surrounding the crash sites. Br J Psychiatry 196(5):359–364PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Miller M, Azrael D, Hemenway D (2004) The epidemiology of case fatality rates for suicide in the northeast. Ann Emerg Med 43(6):723–730PubMedCrossRef Miller M, Azrael D, Hemenway D (2004) The epidemiology of case fatality rates for suicide in the northeast. Ann Emerg Med 43(6):723–730PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Suokas J, Suominen K, Isometsä E, Ostamo A, Lönnqvist J (2001) Long-term risk factors for suicide mortality after attempted suicide–findings of a 14-year follow-up study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 104(2):117–121PubMedCrossRef Suokas J, Suominen K, Isometsä E, Ostamo A, Lönnqvist J (2001) Long-term risk factors for suicide mortality after attempted suicide–findings of a 14-year follow-up study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 104(2):117–121PubMedCrossRef
12.
go back to reference Suokas J, Lönnqvist J (1991) Outcome of attempted suicide and psychiatric consultation: risk factors and suicide mortality during a five-year follow-up. Acta Psychiatr Scand 84(6):545–549PubMedCrossRef Suokas J, Lönnqvist J (1991) Outcome of attempted suicide and psychiatric consultation: risk factors and suicide mortality during a five-year follow-up. Acta Psychiatr Scand 84(6):545–549PubMedCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Runeson B, Tidemalm D, Dahlin M, Lichtenstein P, Langstrom N (2010) Method of attempted suicide as predictor of subsequent successful suicide: national long term cohort study. BMJ 341:c3222PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Runeson B, Tidemalm D, Dahlin M, Lichtenstein P, Langstrom N (2010) Method of attempted suicide as predictor of subsequent successful suicide: national long term cohort study. BMJ 341:c3222PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Chen VC, Cheng AT, Tan HK, Chen CY, Chen TH, Stewart R, Prince M (2009) A community-based study of case fatality proportion among those who carry out suicide acts. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 44(12):1005–1011PubMedCrossRef Chen VC, Cheng AT, Tan HK, Chen CY, Chen TH, Stewart R, Prince M (2009) A community-based study of case fatality proportion among those who carry out suicide acts. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 44(12):1005–1011PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Chen VC, Tan HK, Chen CY, Chen TH, Liao LR, Lee CT, Dewey M, Stewart R, Prince M, Cheng AT (2011) Mortality and suicide after self-harm: community cohort study in Taiwan. Br J Psychiatry 198(1):31–36PubMedCrossRef Chen VC, Tan HK, Chen CY, Chen TH, Liao LR, Lee CT, Dewey M, Stewart R, Prince M, Cheng AT (2011) Mortality and suicide after self-harm: community cohort study in Taiwan. Br J Psychiatry 198(1):31–36PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Spicer R, Miller T (2000) Suicide acts in 8 states: incidence and case fatality rates by demographics and method. Am J Public Health 90(12):1885–1891PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Spicer R, Miller T (2000) Suicide acts in 8 states: incidence and case fatality rates by demographics and method. Am J Public Health 90(12):1885–1891PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Kolves K, Kolves KE, De Leo D (2013) Natural disasters and suicidal behaviours: a systematic literature review. J Affect Disord 146(1):1–14PubMedCrossRef Kolves K, Kolves KE, De Leo D (2013) Natural disasters and suicidal behaviours: a systematic literature review. J Affect Disord 146(1):1–14PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Inokuchi R, Sato H, Nakajima S, Shinohara K, Nakamura K, Gunshin M, Hiruma T, Ishii T, Matsubara T, Kitsuta Y, Yahagi N (2013) Development of information systems and clinical decision support systems for emergency departments: a long road ahead for Japan. Emerg Med J 30(11):914–917PubMedCrossRef Inokuchi R, Sato H, Nakajima S, Shinohara K, Nakamura K, Gunshin M, Hiruma T, Ishii T, Matsubara T, Kitsuta Y, Yahagi N (2013) Development of information systems and clinical decision support systems for emergency departments: a long road ahead for Japan. Emerg Med J 30(11):914–917PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Nordentoft M, Breum L, Munck L, Nordestgaard A, Hunding A, Laursen Bjaeldager P (1993) High mortality by natural and unnatural causes: a 10 year follow up study of patients admitted to a poisoning treatment centre after suicide attempts. BMJ 306(6893):1637–1641PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Nordentoft M, Breum L, Munck L, Nordestgaard A, Hunding A, Laursen Bjaeldager P (1993) High mortality by natural and unnatural causes: a 10 year follow up study of patients admitted to a poisoning treatment centre after suicide attempts. BMJ 306(6893):1637–1641PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Pasnau RO, Fawzy I (1988) Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry. Williams and Wilkins, New York Pasnau RO, Fawzy I (1988) Comprehensive textbook of psychiatry. Williams and Wilkins, New York
21.
go back to reference Ekeberg O, Ellingsen O, Jacobsen D (1994) Mortality and causes of death in a 10-year follow-up of patients treated for self-poisonings in Oslo. Suicide Life Threat Behav 24(4):398–405PubMed Ekeberg O, Ellingsen O, Jacobsen D (1994) Mortality and causes of death in a 10-year follow-up of patients treated for self-poisonings in Oslo. Suicide Life Threat Behav 24(4):398–405PubMed
22.
go back to reference Yip P (2009) Effects of an earthquake on suicide rates in Nantou, Taiwan. Br J Psychiatry 194(2):190PubMedCrossRef Yip P (2009) Effects of an earthquake on suicide rates in Nantou, Taiwan. Br J Psychiatry 194(2):190PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Jordans MJ, Semrau M, Thornicroft G, van Ommeren M (2012) Role of current perceived needs in explaining the association between past trauma exposure and distress in humanitarian settings in Jordan and Nepal. Br J Psychiatry 201(4):276–281PubMedCrossRef Jordans MJ, Semrau M, Thornicroft G, van Ommeren M (2012) Role of current perceived needs in explaining the association between past trauma exposure and distress in humanitarian settings in Jordan and Nepal. Br J Psychiatry 201(4):276–281PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Suzuki Y, Tsutsumi A, Fukasawa M, Honma H, Someya T, Kim Y (2011) Prevalence of mental disorders and suicidal thoughts among community-dwelling elderly adults 3 years after the niigata-chuetsu earthquake. J Epidemiol 21(2):144–150PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Suzuki Y, Tsutsumi A, Fukasawa M, Honma H, Someya T, Kim Y (2011) Prevalence of mental disorders and suicidal thoughts among community-dwelling elderly adults 3 years after the niigata-chuetsu earthquake. J Epidemiol 21(2):144–150PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Aoki Y, Malcolm E, Yamaguchi S, Thornicroft G, Henderson C (2012) Mental illness among journalists: a systematic review. Int J Soc Psychiatry 59(4):377–390PubMedCrossRef Aoki Y, Malcolm E, Yamaguchi S, Thornicroft G, Henderson C (2012) Mental illness among journalists: a systematic review. Int J Soc Psychiatry 59(4):377–390PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Time-related changes in suicide attempts after the nuclear accident in Fukushima
Authors
Yuta Aoki
Megumi Okada
Ryota Inokuchi
Akinori Matsumoto
Yoshibumi Kumada
Hideyuki Yokoyama
Tokiya Ishida
Itaru Saito
Humihito Ito
Hajime Sato
Jun Tomio
Kazuaki Shinohara
Graham Thornicroft
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 12/2014
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0903-3

Other articles of this Issue 12/2014

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 12/2014 Go to the issue