The effects of suicide prevention measures reported through a psychoeducational video: A practice in Japan

Background: As the suicide rate in Japan has remained high since 1998, various suicide prevention measures have been implemented in Japanese local communities. Aims: To report our findings on the effect of a psychoeducational video as a suicide prevention measure in a Japanese rural town. Methods: Questionnaires were randomly mailed to 2,000 residents aged between 30 and 79 years. Within 4 weeks, volunteers in the town visited the residents individually and collected the questionnaires. The variables reported in this study are demographics, awareness of suicide prevention measures available in the town, whether the residents watched the video, help-seeking from advisers regarding suicidal ideation and financial problems and attitudes towards suicide. Results: We analysed data collected from 1,118 people who reported their demographics (i.e. sex, age, and job) and whether they had watched the video. By conducting a series of logistic regression and multiple regression analyses and controlling for demographic variables, we found that watching the video had substantial psychoeducational effects. Conclusion: Despite conducting a cross-sectional study, our new suicide prevention measures were considered effective for psychoeducation. However, further studies using a longitudinal design are needed.